At the moment I have described, when we felt that all hope of escape had
gone--for we could scarcely expect ourselves to resist the numbers who
were rushing down with cries of vengeance to force their way in--a voice
of authority was heard, ordering them to desist. At first they seemed
in no way inclined to obey. One who appeared by his rich costume to be
an officer of authority made his appearance. He spoke with a Spanish
accent:
"Hold! men, hold! what are you about to do? We come not to war against
helpless women. On deck, all of you; or expect the punishment of
mutineers!"
He spoke with a tone of authority not to be disobeyed. Our enraged
assailants quickly retired, without attempting any further violence.
The officer started back with surprise when he found the dead bodies at
the entrance of the cabin.
"You have defended yourselves well, gentlemen," he said, addressing
A'Dale and me, as we still stood with our swords in our hands, and at
our posts. "These men met their deserts. I do not therefore blame you;
on the contrary, I may compliment you on your gallantry. Here!" he
exclaimed, "some of you come down and convey these dead bodies away, and
throw them overboard. If a few more of you had been treated in the same
way, the loss would not have been great."
The bodies having been dragged away by some of our late assailants, who
obeyed the order, the officer entered the cabin. He bowed with all the
grace of a Spaniard to the ladies, and expressed his regret that they
had been caused so much anxiety and terror. We found that he was Don
Alfonzo de la Fuente, the commander of the squadron, and though obeying
his master, Philip, in carrying out his laws, yet he did so with a
feeling of commiseration for the unfortunate victims of his cruelty.
"I will send for an officer I can trust," he said, "who will remain on
board your ship, and protect you from the lawless violence of the prize
crew. All I can I will do to make amends for your disappointment. If
you will permit me, I will write an order, and send to my ship, and will
not leave you till the officer arrives; for I regret to say there are
not many in whom I can confide, who will treat you as I should desire."
We supplied Don Alfonzo with writing materials, and he summoning some of
the men, a boat was despatched to his ship, which it appeared was the
last of the squadron. On going on deck with him, I found that the wind
had again greatly fallen, and Captain Radford told me that he believed
it would soon be a perfect calm. In a short time the officer who had
been sent for arrived, and Don Alfonzo took his departure, giving him
directions how he was to behave.
The officer, who, though young, had an expression of firmness and
courage in his countenance, which was at the same time very pleasing,
introduced himself as Don Rodrigo Ruiz. He spoke Flemish but slightly,
but I was able to understand his Spanish sufficiently to carry on a
conversation with him, and to interpret to the rest. I soon judged from
his expressions, although he spoke with caution, that he was not
unfavourable to the Protestants. I could not help suggesting to him
that he should endeavour to come over to England, where he might not
only declare his principles, but worship in public according to his
conscience. At length, urged by Don Rodrigo, I retired to the cabin,
where, rolling myself in my cloak, I lay down to sleep. He observed
that he must remain on deck to keep watch over his men.
I was awoke by the sound of voices on deck, apparently shouting to one
of the other ships. Hurrying up, I saw the crews busily engaged in
setting sail, though as yet there was but little wind to fill them.
Bowing to Don Rodrigo, who was on deck issuing his orders, he pointed
towards the east, where I saw, scarcely three miles off, the sails of
numerous vessels, the sun rising behind them, throwing them into the
shade, and making them stand out in bold relief against the sky.
"What are they?" I asked, turning to the young officer.
"That remains to be discovered," he answered; "but our Admiral evidently
believes that they are not friends, and has ordered us to set all sail,
and to do our utmost to escape."
"But who do you think they are?" I again asked.
"The much-dreaded Gueux--the Beggars of the Sea," he answered. "They
are known to have a large squadron afloat, under the command of that
fierce captain, De la Marck--the descendant of the Wild Boar of
Ardennes. If they come up with us, the tables will indeed be turned;
and it will go hard, I suspect, with our men. The hatred between the
two races is so great, that I fear little mercy will be shown to any of
us."
"I am glad, then, that you are on board this ship," I replied; "for,
after the courtesy you have shown us, I trust that you will escape
injury."
"I have no great confidence on that score," he answered. "Though you, I
am sure, will do your best to save my life, the Beggars of the Sea are
not likely in the heat of battle to listen to your wishes."
"But surely your Admiral will not attempt to fight with such a superior
force as there appears to be approaching us?"
"It will matter little whether we fight or not," answered the officer.
"To the Spaniards, at all events, among our crews, no mercy will be
shown, though the lives of the native Flemings may be spared, if they
agree to join the Gueux; and probably very few will refuse to do so."
The Beggars of the Sea--for such there was no doubt were the strangers--
came on with a fresh breeze, rapidly approaching the Spanish squadron.
In vain every sail which the Spanish ships could carry was set to woo
the breeze. Their enemies came up rapidly with them. Seeing this, the
Admiral ordered Don Rodrigo to alter his course, and to do his utmost to
escape, directing him to return to the first Flemish port he could
reach.
"There may be some who will dispute that matter with him," whispered
Captain Radford to me. "Does the Don fancy we should submit to be
carried off prisoners when we more than equal in number our captors?"
"Certainly," I said; "but I trust, whatever is done, the young Spanish
officer may not be injured. Pray let us do our best to save his life."
We now once more stood out from among the Spanish squadron. The
_Falcon_ being a fast vessel, and having all the sail she could set now
put on her, gradually distanced them. In the meantime, however, the
Beggars of the Sea came up at a rapid rate, and soon got the Spaniards
within reach of their guns. We watched them with great interest. Our
fate might possibly depend upon the result of the action. The Beggars
far outnumbered the Spaniards both in ships and men, although the latter
had larger vessels and carried more guns. As the Gueux came up, they
opened their fire hotly on the Spaniards, who, to do them justice,
showed every inclination to defend their ships. Three of the largest of
the Beggars' ships attacked the Admiral, the others tackled his
consorts, the two squadrons running on together. The Admiral's was the
leading ship. One of the Gueux was stationed on her broadside, another
rather more on her bows, and a third hung on her quarter. The breeze
blew away the smoke every now and then, so as to allow us a clear view
of the fight. Never had I seen shots exchanged with so much rapidity.
Both our crew and our captors were looking on with intense anxiety at
what was going forward. At length our men uttered a loud shout as the
foremast of the Spanish Admiral went by the board. Still the other
masts stood, but the Gueux seemed to be redoubling their efforts, and
kept pouring broadside upon broadside into the ship. Hearing what was
going forward, all our passengers assembled on deck, the Spaniards in no
way attempting to prevent them. We had by this time got out of the line
of shot, keeping somewhat ahead of the combatants. At length another
shout burst from the throats of our men as the mainmast of the Spanish
Admiral was seen to sway first on one side and then on the other, and at
length, with its streamers and flags flying, to fall forward over the
wreck of the other mast. The other ships seemed to be suffering in the
same way; first one mast and then another went. And now the Gueux were
seen to be crowding round the ships, the masts and spars of which were
one by one shot away.
I observed, meantime, Captain Radford going about the decks, and
speaking to the crew. Don Rodrigo did not see him. I guessed Captain
Radford's intentions; but he, having observed the terms I was on with
the young officer, evidently did not wish to ask me to act a treacherous
part towards him. The Beggars' ships which had come up after the others
were engaged, their services not being required, were now seen standing
after us. But it was a question, being evidently slower ships, whether
they would overtake us; indeed, I judged that they would not, when we
both had an equal amount of wind. I could fancy, more than actually
see, the scenes which were taking place on board the captured ships.
They and the Gueux appeared locked together in a deadly embrace. The
crews of the latter were evidently swarming on board, and, after so hot
a fight, there was no hope that blood would be spared. Still, from the
flashes of pistols and arquebuses, it was evident that the fight
continued, and that a desperate resistance was being made. Suddenly
flames burst forth in the midst of the combatants. The Gueux vainly
endeavoured to extricate themselves from their almost conquered
antagonist. In another instant there was a loud explosion. The
remaining mast of the Admiral's ship was seen to shoot up into the air,
while her deck and broken spars and everything on it rose up many feet.
There was a roar like thunder, and flames and smoke ascended with
terrific fury, high above which were seen burning fragments of the wreck
spreading far and wide, which again came down upon the decks of the
conquerors, and fell hissing all around into the ocean. The next moment
the Spanish ship had disappeared; but flames were bursting out from
those of the Beggars which had been in contact with her. They, however,
were at length extinguished. I heard a sigh escape the bosom of the
young officer, near whom I was standing.
"He was my friend and guardian," he said. "Alas! he deserved a better
fate!"
At that instant there was a cry from the Spaniards, and though I turned
round instantly, I saw that every one of them had been tackled by one of
the English seamen, aided by the Flemish passengers. Several had been
cut down, but others had been captured without bloodshed.
"I must ask you for your sword, sir," said Captain Radford, holding a
pistol to the young officer, who turned round, but had not time to draw
his weapon. "You are our prisoner, and resistance will be useless!"
The capture of the Spaniards had not been accomplished a minute too
soon, for the Beggars' ships were almost within gunshot, and would have
opened their fire upon us. Instantly the Spanish ensign was hauled
down, and that of England hoisted. The officer, seeing that he could do
nothing, at once, with a bow, handed his sword to Captain Radford.
"Pray keep it, and promise that you will not use it against us," said
the captain, handing it him back.
Our sails were on this furled, and a boat, by Captain Radford's orders,
was lowered.
"To prevent mistakes, I must go on board the Beggars' ships, or they may
perchance open their fire without inquiring who we are. They are not
very scrupulous in that matter."
This precaution of Captain Radford I believe saved us. He quickly
reached the headmost of the two vessels, and explained how matters stood
to the officer in command--the gallant Treslong.
I need not describe the joy of the poor Flemings at this happy turn of
affairs. Instead of prisoners, they were now at liberty, and warmly
congratulated by their countrymen who came on board. It would have
fared but ill with Don Rodrigo and his men had they not already been
made prisoners, and had we not interfered in their favour. When the
officer from the Beggars' squadron came on board, we at once explained
how he had behaved towards us, and begged that he might be treated with
courtesy and consideration, of which he was certainly well worthy.
Finding that the heart of the Beggar officer was still unmoved, I
whispered to him that I felt sure he was himself a Protestant, and
served the King Philip very much against his will. This seemed to have
very great weight with the officer, and he only advised that he should
remain with our party, promising that he should receive neither insult
nor injury.
A'Dale and I were anxious to visit our late captors, as well as some of
the Beggars' squadron. The two captured vessels lay together, almost
wrecks, and it was evident, from the way the pumps were going, that they
could with difficulty be kept afloat. We went up the side of one of
them. I had witnessed several sad scenes, but my heart sickened when I
beheld the perfect shambles the deck had in a short time become. It
seemed as if the whole of her crew must have been shot down by the guns
of the Beggars!
"These scenes," I exclaimed, "will sicken me for war for the rest of my
days!"
"I cannot say that it has that effect on me," said A'Dale. "It is very
horrible, but people fight to kill, and know that they run the risk of
being killed. Now I am rather weary of the merchant's desk, and if some
of these gallant captains will receive me as an officer on board their
ships, I propose joining them."
"You an officer, A'Dale?" I said; "you know but little of nautical
affairs."
"But I can soon learn," he answered. "Very few of them knew much about
the sea a few months ago. Besides, I have a fancy for a rover's life on
the ocean."
"But what is to become of Mistress Margery?" I asked, in a low voice.
"Ah! there's the rub," he answered. "I will tell you about it
by-and-by. It is not that I do not love her, or that she does not
return my affection. Do not suppose that; but this is not the place to
talk about it."
We had returned to our boat when he said this, and were pulling towards
one of the Beggars' ships which lay between us and the _Falcon_. On
stepping on board, the commander received us very courteously. I found
that he was a well-known noble, William de Blois, of Treslong. Fearing,
notwithstanding the promise of the first officer who had visited us,
that Don Rodrigo's life would be endangered, we begged Captain Treslong
to interfere in his favour, explaining who he was, and the generous way
he had behaved towards us. He promised faithfully to do so; and our
minds were thus greatly relieved with regard to Don Rodrigo. I proposed
returning to the _Falcon_; but, to my surprise and regret, A'Dale there
and then tendered his services to Captain Treslong, who accepted his
offer.
"You must not expect any high rank given to you at first," he said; "but
you will fight your way up to that in time, I doubt not, from the
account you give of yourself; and I fully believe you will be a credit
to the cause. You had better go back to your ship and see your friends,
and come on board before we part company. We shall probably see you
safe in sight of the English coast. By the bye, your captain must not
expect to escape without paying salvage. Our men are disappointed at
having lost the Spaniard's large ship; and they will be in no good
humour unless they collect a little prize money."
With this not very satisfactory message, we pulled back towards the
_Falcon_. I asked A'Dale again on our way how he could bring himself to
give up little Margery.
"I do not give her up," he answered; "but I hope to collect a good sum
with which to set up house, far more rapidly than I have any chance of
doing with Sir Thomas Gresham. He has treated me very kindly, and made
good use of me; but I have no great hopes that he will place me in a
position where I can obtain a sufficient income to support a wife, for a
long time to come, at all events."
I felt really sorry for Mistress Margery that A'Dale had come to this
resolution. I did my best, however, to persuade him to alter his mind;
but the more I urged, the stronger appeared his determination of joining
the Gueux. At length, by the great exertions of the rovers' crews, the
two Spanish ships were got into a condition for again making sail, and
then, with the whole of the fleet, we steered a course for England.
Once more the shores of Old England appeared in sight, and, rounding the
Goodwin Sands, we came to an anchor in the Downs. Glad as we English
were to see our native land, the joy of the unhappy refugees seemed far
to surpass ours. As they gazed on the land of freedom, they fell down
on their knees on deck, and together joined in a hymn of praise and
thanksgiving. Eagerly they packed up the few articles which they had
been able to bring away. Master Clough having paid a handsome sum out
of the property he had brought off to the Beggars, the rest was landed,
and under an escort of soldiers, whom he engaged for that purpose, he
prepared to send it off to London.
I will not describe the parting of Mistress Margery and A'Dale. He
commended her to Aveline's care--who promised to look after her rather
as a sister than a dependant, and, shaking me warmly by the hand,
returned on board Captain Treslong's ship. We assisted, with the
_Falcons_ boats, in landing the emigrants. They were received, on
setting foot on the English shore, with the greatest kindness by the
inhabitants of Dover and other places. Their destitute condition
becoming known, subscriptions were raised for their support, houses
found, and a place of worship allowed them.
Master Clough kindly invited Don Rodrigo to accompany him to London--an
offer which our Spanish friend was glad to accept; while his men, many
of whom were Flemings, volunteered on board the Beggars' fleet.
Two or three Spaniards were put on shore to find their way back to their
country by the first vessel under the Spanish flag which might visit
Dover. We then all set forward for London, with the escort in charge of
Master Clough's chests of gold.