nder
the lee of Cape Grisnez, so as to get a view of the coast, where we had
seen the Dutch anchor, great was our disappointment on discovering that
not a mast was visible. It was very evident that, favoured by darkness,
they had slipped out with the last of the flood, and were by this time
amid the sandbanks and shallows off the Flushing coast. The gale
increasing, we now threw out the order for the fleet to bear away and
steer for the Isle of Wight, under the shelter of which we at length
brought up. On counting our prizes, we found that we had captured no
less than nineteen men-of-war, and not under fifty merchantmen, which
had been carried to different ports. Three Dutch captains had been
taken prisoners and seven slain. Even though still suffering from his
wound, the admiral went on shore, not to take a part in the rejoicings
with which our victory was welcomed throughout the land, but to visit
the hospitals and see that the wounded men were properly cared for. I
accompanied him from ward to ward. He had a land word for every one,
and many an eye was filled with tears as he thanked them for the noble
way in which they had fought for their country, and the glorious victory
they had won.

Refusing to go home, though he required rest more than any one, he
continued to superintend the repairs of the fleet.

I cannot dwell on the events which followed. We again sailed in April
with a hundred ships for the Texel, where we drove the Dutch fleet back
into port, capturing fifty dogers. The admiral hearing that Van Tromp
had gone northward, to convoy a fleet of merchantmen, we sailed in
pursuit with part of the fleet, leaving Admiral Lawson in command of the
larger portion. Missing the Dutch, we once again steered southward,
when just as June had commenced, a fast frigate brought intelligence
that Van Tromp had appeared in the Downs, and that another fierce battle
was hourly expected between him and the English fleet under Admirals
Penn and Lawson.

Setting all sail, we pressed on before a northerly breeze, when the
sound of firing reached our ears.

Robert Blake in the _Hampshire_ was ahead. How we envied him! At
length, some way to the southward of Yarmouth, the two fleets of England
and Holland appeared in sight, hotly engaged. With every stitch of
canvas set below and aloft, he sailed on into action, firing his
broadsides with terrific effect into the enemy's ships.

We followed, eager to engage, as di