lute ready for the galley on the other--so smartly dealt and with such
deadly aim, that the wretched slaves at the oars tumbled off their
benches and rolled over like so many ninepins; and before others could
take their places, a second broadside and a third swept the craft from
stem to stem. The Spaniard's shot flew high and harmless, and, for
every broadside he let go, the English gave him back two or three.

Thus all that morning and well into the afternoon the _Rata_ hung
miserably in the wind, watching the sport which the Englishman made of
the King of Spain and his galleons, and never once able to get within
speaking distance.

At length, amid many a bitter curse and many an angry taunt, the Don
gave orders to put about, and, leaving the store ships to their fate,
rejoin the fleet, where, at any rate, (now that it seemed a general
fight had at last come about), there was some certain consolation in
store for the fluttered grandees.

Alas! that I should live to pity her Majesty's enemies! But I did so
that afternoon. For when we came upon the scene, the battle was well-
nigh at an end, and the Duke-Admiral's ship, sorely battered in the
bows, was hanging out signals to the fleet to draw off. The sea was
strewn with helpless galleons; amidst which the active English craft
slipped in and out, giving a broadside here, a shot there, a flight of
arrows there, yet never getting within grappling distance, or offering
the Don a chance of boarding. Not a single one of their ships could I
see in distress; while many a Spanish top-mast and bowsprit draggled
shamefully, and many a Spanish corpse could I mark being slipped
overboard.

Don Alonzo, wrathful and baffled, affected not to see his Admiral's
signal, and made one brave attempt to close with the ships nearest him
and so retrieve the honours of the day. But he got more than he gave.
For the Englishmen suddenly slipped to the wind of him, despite all his
efforts, and lying snugly on his flank, as he yawed over with the
breeze, pounded him merrily betwixt wind and water, while his own shot,
aimed at the sky, flew yards above the English topsails. The young
nobles shouted in vain to the enemy to come alongside if they dare, and
try conclusions. The Englishman laughed back out of every port in his
broadside, and bid them catch if they could. Meanwhile, to pass the
time, they slid round by our stern and new-blacked the gilding there,
and even hovered a few minute