the alferez Albarran,
who was stationed on that island as sentinel, that the enemy were
anchored at Azebu, five or six leagues from there. Upon receiving
this news, on that same day (St. Lucy's) our men began to spread the
_pavesades_, [27] and ballasted the flagship a trifle more. They were
all in the highest of spirits, and so eager were they to come to close
quarters with the enemy, that every hour's delay seemed a hundred
years to them. At midnight, or a little later, on St. Lucy's day,
the flagship weighed anchor without notifying its almiranta. The
latter, seeing the flagship make sail, followed. Without waiting
for the small Portuguese vessel, they followed the course of the
enemy, and at dawn the next day, which was the fourteenth of the
said month, they discovered them. They investigated and ascertained
beyond all doubt that it was the enemy. Their only fear was lest the
latter might escape from them. Our men thought that if but once the
enemy were grappled, they could overcome ten vessels. However, in a
little while they were made to see the difference between fighting
in imagination and actually using their hands in real earnest. In
short, as above stated, our flagship was leading the advance; and
when the enemy saw it, he ordered his almiranta to weigh anchor and
reconnoiter. The order was obeyed, and although the almiranta put out
to sea but a little distance, it recognized them as armed vessels,
which was reported to the general. The latter ordered the almiranta to
keep a sharp lookout and to run close-hauled; and, if it was apparent
that the two vessels were approaching to attack them, to return to
his assistance. But his intent was to see if he could not in any way
separate their force, because he said that, ship for ship, his force
was the abler. Since our flagship was drawing nearer and outstripping
the almiranta, it was overtaking the enemy, who put to sea with his
flagship and waited close-hauled. He fired a shot, which carried
away part of the tops and the main halyard on our flagship. Ours
returned the fire, but struck the water. When they almost touched
our ship, the enemy fired another shot, which destroyed a pump and
killed two or three Indians. Thereupon our men crowded on all sail,
and attacked with the greatest determination that was ever seen--for,
as they say, they were going with all sails set. Our ship grappled with
its opponent, so that our men could board easily. With the vessels in
th