tters; and William regarded the interference
of unprofessional advisers, in questions relating to war, with even more
than the disgust ordinarily felt by soldiers on such occasions. But he
was at that moment in an excellent humour, and, instead of signifying
his displeasure by a short and cutting reprimand, graciously extended
his hand, and answered his chaplain's question by another question:
"Well, Doctor, what do you think of predestination now?" The reproof was
so delicate that Burnet, whose perceptions were not very fine, did not
perceive it. He answered with great fervour that he should never forget
the signal manner in which Providence had favoured their undertaking.
[507]

During the first day the troops who had gone on shore had many
discomforts to endure. The earth was soaked with rain. The baggage was
still on board of the ships. Officers of high rank were compelled to
sleep in wet clothes on the wet ground: the Prince himself had no better
quarters than a hut afforded. His banner was displayed on the thatched
roof; and some bedding brought from his ship was spread for him on the
floor. [508] There was some difficulty about landing the horses; and it
seemed probable that this operation would occupy several days. But on
the following morning the prospect cleared. The wind was gentle. The
water in the bay was as even as glass. Some fishermen pointed out a
place where the ships could be brought within sixty feet of the beach.
This was done; and in three hours many hundreds of horses swam safely to
shore.

The disembarkation had hardly been effected when the wind rose again,
and swelled into a fierce gale from the west. The enemy coming in
pursuit down the Channel had been stopped by the same change of weather
which enabled William to land. During two days the King's fleet lay on
an unruffled sea in sight of Beachy Head. At length Dartmouth was able
to proceed. He passed the Isle of Wight, and one of his ships came
in sight of the Dutch topmasts in Torbay. Just at this moment he was
encountered by the tempest, and compelled to take shelter in the harbour
of Portsmouth. [509] At that time James, who was not incompetent to
form a judgment on a question of seamanship, declared himself perfectly
satisfied that his Admiral had done all that man could do, and had
yielded only to the irresistible hostility of the winds and waves. At
a later period the unfortunate prince began, with little reason, to
suspect Dartmouth