ather was serving under the Earl of
Sandwich, came to an anchor, he begged that he also might join her.
Through Lord Ossory's introduction, the admiral received him very
courteously, and promised to look after his interests. The captain of
the ship, Sir Richard Haddock, also expressed his satisfaction at having
him on board.

The _Royal James_ was one of the largest ships in the navy, carrying a
hundred guns, and nearly one thousand men, including seamen and
soldiers. Captain Christison, now in his element, was delighted to have
his son with him, and well-pleased at the credit the young man had
gained.

"You will see some real fighting before long, Wenlock," he observed.
"Braver men than Lord Sandwich and his captain do not exist, and now
this war with the Dutch has broken out we shall not let their fleets
alone."

Some time after this, the English fleets, consisting of nearly a hundred
sail, under the command of the Duke of York, the Earl of Sandwich being
the admiral of the blue squadron, were lying at Spithead. War had been
declared against the Dutch, in reality at the instigation of France,
whose armies were at the same time pouring into Holland. Early in May,
a French fleet of forty-eight ships, under the command of Count
d'Estrees, arrived at Portsmouth, and soon afterwards he and the English
together put to sea. After cruising about for some time in search of
the enemy, they anchored in Sole Bay.

"Wenlock, before many days are over you will have seen a real sea-fight.
The very thought of it warms up my old blood," exclaimed his father.
"I know you will acquit yourself well; and if the enemy's fleet falls
into our hands, as I doubt not it will, we shall have no cause
henceforth to complain of want of money in our purses."

Alas! what would Mary Mead, what would her father and William Penn, have
said to such sentiments?

CHAPTER NINE.

The English and French fleets lay in Sole Bay, a brave sight, with flags
flying and trumpets sounding from the different ships. Just as day
broke on the 28th of May, numerous sail were seen dotting the horizon.
On they came. There was no doubt that they were the ships of the Dutch
fleet. The Duke of York threw out the signal for action; and the ships
setting sail, some of them cutting their cables in their eagerness,
stood out of the bay. The French, who were on the outside, were nearest
to the Dutch. From the deck of the _Royal James_, no less than
seventy-f