attempt--the numerous Romanists left in that country,
and the "Queensmen," the partisans of the beheaded Queen, would have
received him with open arms. This would have rendered the young King's
[James the Sixth, of Scotland] tenure of power very uncertain, and might
not improbably have ended in an invasion of the border by a
Scoto-Spanish army. But Lord Howard did not know that no thought of
victory now animated Medina. The one faint hope within him was to reach
home.

Internal dissensions were now added to the outward troubles of the
Spaniards. Seven hundred English prisoners banded themselves under
command of Sir William Stanley, and turned upon their gaolers. The
Armada spread her sails, and let herself drive faster still.
Northwards, ever northwards! It was the only way left open to Spain.

For four days the "Ark Royal" kept chase of the miserable relics of this
once-grand Armada. When the Orkneys were safely passed, Lord Howard
drew off, leaving scouts to follow Medina, and report where he went. If
he had gone on for two days longer, he would not have had a charge of
powder left.

Five thousand Spaniards had been killed; a much larger number lay
wounded or ill; twelve of the most important ships were lost; provisions
failed them; the fresh water was nearly all spent. One of the galleons
ran aground at Fair Isle, in the Shetlands, where relics are still kept,
and the dark complexions of the natives show traces of Spanish blood.
The "Florida" was wrecked on the coast of Morven--where her shattered
hulk lies yet. Medina made his way between the Faroe Isles and Iceland,
fled out to the high seas, and toiled past Ireland home. The rest of
the fleet tried to reach Cape Clear. Forty-one were lost off the coast
of Ireland: many driven by the strong west wind into the English
Channel, where they were taken, some by the English, some by the
Rochellois: a few gained Neubourg in Normandy. Out of 134 ships, above
eighty were total wrecks.

So ended the Invincible Armada.

England fought well. But it was not England who was the conqueror,
[Note 5] but the south wind and the west wind of God.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. This was the same Duke of Guise who took an active part in the
Massacre of Saint Bartholomew. He was assassinated at Blois, December
23, 1588--less than six months after the invasion of the Armada.

Note 2. The Greeks did not reckon b