il
her masts were shot away by the board, when two of our ships ran
alongside and carried her. It appearing impossible that she could swim,
her captain with the survivors of his officers and crew were hastily
dragged on board their captors, and the _Ostrich_ was deserted.

On the other side of us another Dutch ship, commanded by Captain De
Port, was attacked by two of ours, and from the way they handled their
guns, in a short time it was very evident that they had reduced her to a
sinking state.

Another brave Hollander, Captain Swers, seeing her condition, hastened
to her relief; but he came too late, and our ship turning on him, ere
long reduced him to the same condition as his countryman.

As I stood on our lofty after-castle I could look down on the fight, and
saw the brave De Port, though lying on the deck desperately wounded,
flourishing his hanger and shouting to his crew to resist. Before the
English could get on board, down went his ship, carrying him and his men
with her. Scarcely had she disappeared than Swers' ship was seen to be
sinking, but more fortunate than his brother captain, he and several of
his officers were rescued by their victors.

In other directions we could see that several of the Dutch ships had
struck their flags. Four of ours had been boarded by the enemy, but
afterwards recaptured. Among them was the _Sampson_, commanded by
Captain Bullon. So fearfully had she suffered, he and the greater
portion of his crew having been slain, that the admiral ordered the
remainder to be taken out, and allowed her to drift away.

We ourselves, having endured the brunt of the battle well-nigh from
sunrise to sunset, had also suffered fearfully. I was standing near the
admiral, when a shot struck down Mr Sparrow, his secretary, by his
side, and our commander, Captain Ball, also fell shortly afterwards. As
I looked along the decks I could see them covered with dead and wounded,
there being scarcely men left sufficient to carry the latter below, the
survivors having to work on at the guns.

Still the battle raged, and round shot continued tearing along our
decks. One came whizzing close to me. Turning at the same moment, I
saw that the admiral was struck. I sprang forward to save him ere he
fell to the deck.

"It's a mere flesh wound," he replied to my inquiries. "Let not the men
suppose that I am hurt," and taking a handkerchief, he, with my
assistance, bound it round the wound and resume