disobey the instructions given him by the king;
yet this was not done without some difficulty, as the council was
divided in opinion, some holding it best to observe the kings commands,
while others were anxious not to lose the opportunity of surprising our
fleet at unawares, when they hoped to burn and destroy them. Diego
Flores de Valdes, who commanded the squadron of Andalusia, and on whom
the duke most relied, because of his judgment and experience in maritime
affairs, was the main cause of persuading to make the attempt upon our
ships in harbour, and in that design they directed their course for
England.

The first land they fell in with was the Lizard, being the most
southerly point of Cornwall, which they mistook for the Ram-head off
Plymouth; and as the night was at hand, they tacked out to sea, laying
their account to make an attempt upon our ships in Plymouth next
morning. In the mean time, while thus deceived in the land, they were
discovered by captain Fleming, a pirate or freebooter who had been
roving at sea, and who knowing them to be the Spanish fleet, repaired in
all haste to Plymouth, and gave notice to our fleet then, riding at
anchor, as follows:

THE ENGLISH FLEET[346].

_Ships. Commanders. Tons. Guns. Men._
The Ark Royal The Lord Admiral 800 32 400
Revenge Sir F. Drake, vice admiral
Victory Sir J. Hawkins, rear admiral 800 52 400
Lion Lord Thomas Howard 500 80 250
Bear Lord Sheffield 900 40 500
Elizabeth-Jonas Sir Robert Southwell 900 40 500
Triumph Sir Martin Frobisher 1000 40 500
Hope Captain Crosse 600 30 250
Bonaventure ---- Reyman 600 30 250
Dreadnought ---- George Beeston 400 20 200
Nonparielle ---- Thomas Fenner 500 50 250
Swiftsure ---- William Fenner 400 20 200
Rainbow Lord Henry Seymour
Vauntguard Sir William Wentworth
Mary-Rose Captain Fenton
Antilope Sir Henry Palmer 350 16 160
Foresight Captain Baker 300 16 160
Aid ---- John Wentworth
Swallow ---- Richard Hawkins 330 16 160
Tiger ---- William Wentworth 200 12 100
Sc