d his upright position,
cheering on the men as was his wont.

The same shot had torn away part of the buff coat of General Deane, who
had remained on board to aid his old comrade in arms.

I often, as may be supposed, looked out to see how it was faring with my
old friends. Though many were laid low by their sides, still they
remained unhurt.

The evening of that short winter's day was approaching, when our
admiral, perceiving the shattered condition of a large number of the
enemy's ships, and that no less than eight had been sunk, blown up, or
captured, directed the fastest frigates nearest to us to make all sail
and cut off the fleet of traders, which had been hove to in the distance
during the day.

This done he kept his eagle eye on Tromp, who shortly afterwards was
seen to throw out signals to steer to the south-east, followed by a
considerable portion of his fleet, evidently with the intention of
protecting the traders.

Seeing their admiral apparently retreating, the rest of the fleet took
to hasty flight, on which from every English ship arose a loud shout of
triumph, the crews for the moment forgetting the heavy price at which
the day's victory had been gained.

As we passed in view of the captured ships, the scene which their decks
presented was sufficient to sicken our hearts. None of the brave
Dutchmen had yielded until the last hope was gone. Fore and aft lay the
mangled corpses of the slain, while the shattered bulwarks and even the
stumps of the masts were bespattered with blood and gore.

Though a battle was no new event to me, I turned away appalled and
sickened at the sight. Not only were our crews exhausted, but few of
our ships were in a condition to pursue the enemy, and great was our
fear that they would escape during the night; but as the sun disappeared
beneath the western horizon the wind dropped, and both squadrons lay
becalmed on the smooth ocean. All the boats which could float were
immediately lowered, and the wounded being placed in them, they were
rowed to shore, where hospitals had been prepared for their reception.
General Deane and others entreated the admiral to land and obtain that
attention to his wound which he was so anxious to afford to others.

"No, no, my friends," he answered, pointing to the lights from the Dutch
ships, which streamed across the wintry sea. "With the enemy out there,
it is no time for me to seek for rest," and before retiring to his cabin
he is