ive large ships were discovered, and forty frigates. The fleet
was commanded, as was well known, by the brave Admirals de Ruyter,
Banquert, and Van Ghent. The French were first attacked by Admiral
Banquert. And now the guns on both sides sent forth their missiles of
death,--round shot and chain shot, the latter cutting to pieces the
rigging and spars of their antagonists.

"See, Wenlock, those Frenchmen fight well," exclaimed Christison. "We
must acquit ourselves in a like gallant way." This was said as the
_Royal James_ was standing into action, approaching a large Dutch ship
called the _Great Holland_. "But see! what are they about? They are
beating a retreat. Two or three of their ships remain in the enemy's
hands. They have no stomach for the fight, that is clear; or, from what
I hear, they are playing the game they have long done. It is the old
story. They wish the Dutch and us to tear ourselves to pieces, and then
they will come in and pick up the fragments."

Meantime, the Duke of York in the _Saint Michael_ was engaged with
Admiral de Ruyter, his ship being so severely handled that he had to
leave her, and hoist his flag on board the _Loyal London_.

"Ah! we have enemies enough coming down upon us," exclaimed Christison,
as the _Royal James_, at the head of the blue squadron, became almost
surrounded by Dutch ships. The _Great Holland_ was the first to lay her
alongside, the Dutchmen, however, in vain endeavouring to board.
Admiral Van Ghent next attacked her with a squadron of fire-ships. The
brave Earl of Sandwich encouraged his men to resist, in spite of the
numerous foes round him. Again and again the Dutchmen from the deck of
the _Great Holland_ attempted to carry the _Royal James_. Each time
they were beaten back. Sometimes the earl put himself at the head of
his men; at others Christison and his son repelling the boarders. All
this time the other Dutch ships kept up a terrific fire on the _Royal
James_. More than once the earl turned his eyes towards the remainder
of the English fleet, but none of the ships seemed prepared to come to
his assistance. The Englishmen were falling thickly; already many
hundreds strewed the deck.

"When a man's destruction has been resolved on, it is easy to bring it
about," observed the earl to his captain, Sir Richard Haddock, who stood
by his side. "However, neither friends nor foes shall say that Edward
Montagu failed in his duty to his country, or c