Elizabeth, by a new treaty concluded with Henry, engaged to supply
that prince. Some stipulations for mutual assistance were formed by the
treaty; and all former engagements were renewed.

{1597.} This body of English were maintained at the expense of the
French king; yet did Henry esteem the supply of considerable advantage,
on account of the great reputation acquired by the English, in so many
fortunate enterprises undertaken against the common enemy. In the great
battle of Tournholt, gained this campaign by Prince Maurice, the English
auxiliaries under Sir Francis Vere and Sir Robert Sidney had acquired
honor; and the success of that day was universally ascribed to their
discipline and valor.

Though Elizabeth, at a considerable expense of blood and treasure, made
war against Philip in France and the Low Countries, the most severe
blows which she gave him, were by those naval enterprises which either
she or her subjects scarcely ever intermitted during one season. In
1594, Richard Hawkins, son of Sir John, the famous navigator, procured
the queen's commission, and sailed with three ships to the South Sea
by the Straits of Magellan; but his voyage proved unfortunate, and he
himself was taken prisoner on the coast of Chili. James Lancaster was
supplied the same year with three ships and a pinnace by the merchants
of London, and was more fortunate in his adventure. He took thirty-nine
ships of the enemy; and not content with this success, he made an attack
on Fernambouc, in Brazil, where he knew great treasures were at that
time lodged. As he approached the shore, he saw it lined with great
numbers of the enemy; but nowise daunted at this appearance, he placed
the stoutest of his men in boats, and ordered them to row with such
violence on the landing-place as to split them in pieces. By this bold
action he both deprived his men of all resource but in victory, and
terrified the enemy, who fled after a short resistance. He returned home
with the treasure which he had so bravely acquired. In 1595, Sir Walter
Raleigh, who had anew forfeited the queen's friendship by an intrigue
with a maid of honor, and who had been thrown into prison for this
misdemeanor, no sooner recovered his liberty, than he was pushed by his
active and enterprising genius to attempt some great action. The success
of the first Spanish adventurers against Mexico and Peru had begotten an
extreme avidity in Europe; and a prepossession universally took p