rast which his
life in that quiet abode presented to the uproar of battle and tempest,
in which so many of his days had of late been passed. His board was
frugal. His mornings were passed among his books or in writing letters,
in which I assisted him; a long walk when his strength was sufficiently
restored through the green fields and woods; his evenings in the society
of a few chosen friends, when his conversation was chiefly on religious
matters or on the affairs of state. To me the change was beneficial in
the extreme. I felt refreshed in mind and body, still my thoughts were
often far away with my sister and friends, captives still, as I
believed, in Barbary.

The tranquil existence the admiral was enjoying was greatly disturbed by
the news of another complete victory gained over the Dutch by Admirals
Monk, Penn, and Lawson. The battle had lasted, like the former, for
well-nigh three days. It was the last Van Tromp was destined to fight.

On the third day, while still leading on his fleet, a musket ball
entered his heart, and his captain hearing of his death took to flight,
pursued by the victors, who, it is sad to say, had received orders from
Monk to give no quarter, but to destroy every ship and their hapless
crews as they were overtaken. The captains and their crews, however,
disregarding the sanguinary order, picked up several hundred Dutchmen
from their sinking ships.

I was thankful to get a letter from Lancelot describing the fight,
assuring me of his and Martin's safety. Ere long we heard of the
arrival of ambassadors from the States General, sueing for peace, when
among other matters they agreed to lower their flag to that of England
whenever it should be seen flying. I must pass over several months,
when once more Admiral Blake went afloat in command of a fleet of
twenty-four sail, and hoisted his flag on board the _Saint George_, a
new ship of sixty guns and three hundred and fifty men. Lancelot and
Martin had joined her, and Dick soon after came on board, having
obtained leave from his father once more to go afloat. We three were
thus again united. Great was our satisfaction to learn that the
Mediterranean was the ultimate destination of the fleet, though its
other objects, for political reasons, were not made known.

At the same time that we sailed, another still larger fleet went down
Channel under command of Admiral Penn, having General Venables and a
body of troops on board. Its des