the Spaniards had
been on the alert, and having warped their vessel to a safer position
above the bridge, they placed their two guns on the deck, and every man
prepared himself to defend the ship.

'I, having notice of this,' writes Sir Hugh, 'fearing they might do here
the like affront as they did at Scarborough, where they landed one
hundred men, and took a ship belonging to the King of Spain out of the
harbour, sent for the Holland Captains, and ordered them not to offer
any act of hostility; for that the Spaniard was the King's friend, and
to have protection in his ports. After some expostulations, they
promised not to meddle with the Dunkirker [Spaniard] if he offered no
injury to them; which I gave him strict charge against, and to trust to
the King's protection. These Holland Captains leaving me, and going into
the town, sent for the Dunkirk Captain to dine with them, and soon after
took occasion to quarrel with him, at the same time ordered their men to
fall on the Dunkirk ship, which they soon surprised, the Captain and
most of the men being absent. I being in my courtyard, and hearing some
pistols discharged, and being told the Dunkirker and Hollanders were at
odds, made haste unto the town, having only a cane in my hand, and one
that followed me without any weapon, thinking my presence would pacify
all differences. When I came to the river-side, on the sand between the
coal-yard and the bridge, I found the Holland Captain with a pistol in
his hand, calling to his men, then in the Dunkirk ship, to send a boat
for him. I gave him good words, and held him in treaty until I got near
him, and then, giving a leap on him, caught hold of his pistol, which I
became master of; yet not without some hazard from the ship, for one
from thence levelled a musket at me; but I espying it, turned the
Captain between me and him, which prevented his shooting.'

When Sir Hugh had secured the Captain, he sent a boatload of men to
retake the ship, and as soon as the Hollanders saw it approaching, they
fled to their own vessels outside the harbour. In the afternoon Sir Hugh
intercepted a letter to his prisoner, telling him to be of good cheer,
for at midnight they would land 200 men and bring him away. This was a
serious matter, and Sir Hugh sent to Sir John Hotham, the High Sheriff
of the county, who at once came from Fyling, and summoned all the
adjacent train-bands. There were about 200 men on guard all through the
night, and ev