aid, addressing
A'Dale and me, as we still stood with our swords in our hands, and at
our posts. "These men met their deserts. I do not therefore blame you;
on the contrary, I may compliment you on your gallantry. Here!" he
exclaimed, "some of you come down and convey these dead bodies away, and
throw them overboard. If a few more of you had been treated in the same
way, the loss would not have been great."

The bodies having been dragged away by some of our late assailants, who
obeyed the order, the officer entered the cabin. He bowed with all the
grace of a Spaniard to the ladies, and expressed his regret that they
had been caused so much anxiety and terror. We found that he was Don
Alfonzo de la Fuente, the commander of the squadron, and though obeying
his master, Philip, in carrying out his laws, yet he did so with a
feeling of commiseration for the unfortunate victims of his cruelty.

"I will send for an officer I can trust," he said, "who will remain on
board your ship, and protect you from the lawless violence of the prize
crew. All I can I will do to make amends for your disappointment. If
you will permit me, I will write an order, and send to my ship, and will
not leave you till the officer arrives; for I regret to say there are
not many in whom I can confide, who will treat you as I should desire."

We supplied Don Alfonzo with writing materials, and he summoning some of
the men, a boat was despatched to his ship, which it appeared was the
last of the squadron. On going on deck with him, I found that the wind
had again greatly fallen, and Captain Radford told me that he believed
it would soon be a perfect calm. In a short time the officer who had
been sent for arrived, and Don Alfonzo took his departure, giving him
directions how he was to behave.

The officer, who, though young, had an expression of firmness and
courage in his countenance, which was at the same time very pleasing,
introduced himself as Don Rodrigo Ruiz. He spoke Flemish but slightly,
but I was able to understand his Spanish sufficiently to carry on a
conversation with him, and to interpret to the rest. I soon judged from
his expressions, although he spoke with caution, that he was not
unfavourable to the Protestants. I could not help suggesting to him
that he should endeavour to come over to England, where he might not
only declare his principles, but worship in public according to his
conscience. At length, urged by Don Rodr