Milagrosa, half cable's length to
starboard, and from the height of the tall poop my lord and Miss Bishop
could see her own bustle of preparation. And they could discern signs of
it now aboard the advancing English ship as well. She was furling tops
and mainsail, stripping in fact to mizzen and sprit for the coming
action. Thus, almost silently without challenge or exchange of signals,
had action been mutually determined.

Of necessity now, under diminished sail, the advance of the Arabella was
slower; but it was none the less steady. She was already within saker
shot, and they could make out the figures stirring on her forecastle and
the brass guns gleaming on her prow. The gunners of the Milagrosa raised
their linstocks and blew upon their smouldering matches, looking up
impatiently at the Admiral.

But the Admiral solemnly shook his head.

"Patience," he exhorted them. "Save your fire until we have him. He is
coming straight to his doom--straight to the yardarm and the rope that
have been so long waiting for him."

"Stab me!" said his lordship. "This Englishman may be gallant enough to
accept battle against such odds. But there are times when discretion is
a better quality than gallantry in a commander."

"Gallantry will often win through, even against overwhelming strength,"
said Miss Bishop. He looked at her, and noted in her bearing only
excitement. Of fear he could still discern no trace. His lordship was
past amazement. She was not by any means the kind of woman to which life
had accustomed him.

"Presently," he said, "you will suffer me to place you under cover."

"I can see best from here," she answered him. And added quietly: "I am
praying for this Englishman. He must be very brave."

Under his breath Lord Julian damned the fellow's bravery.

The Arabella was advancing now along a course which, if continued, must
carry her straight between the two Spanish ships. My lord pointed
it out. "He's crazy surely!" he cried. "He's driving straight into a
death-trap. He'll be crushed to splinters between the two. No wonder
that black-faced Don is holding his fire. In his place, I should do the
same."

But even at that moment the Admiral raised his hand; in the waist, below
him, a trumpet blared, and immediately the gunner on the prow touched
off his guns. As the thunder of them rolled out, his lordship saw ahead
beyond the English ship and to larboard of her two heavy splashes.
Almost at once two successive