e Gueux were
seen to be crowding round the ships, the masts and spars of which were
one by one shot away.

I observed, meantime, Captain Radford going about the decks, and
speaking to the crew. Don Rodrigo did not see him. I guessed Captain
Radford's intentions; but he, having observed the terms I was on with
the young officer, evidently did not wish to ask me to act a treacherous
part towards him. The Beggars' ships which had come up after the others
were engaged, their services not being required, were now seen standing
after us. But it was a question, being evidently slower ships, whether
they would overtake us; indeed, I judged that they would not, when we
both had an equal amount of wind. I could fancy, more than actually
see, the scenes which were taking place on board the captured ships.
They and the Gueux appeared locked together in a deadly embrace. The
crews of the latter were evidently swarming on board, and, after so hot
a fight, there was no hope that blood would be spared. Still, from the
flashes of pistols and arquebuses, it was evident that the fight
continued, and that a desperate resistance was being made. Suddenly
flames burst forth in the midst of the combatants. The Gueux vainly
endeavoured to extricate themselves from their almost conquered
antagonist. In another instant there was a loud explosion. The
remaining mast of the Admiral's ship was seen to shoot up into the air,
while her deck and broken spars and everything on it rose up many feet.
There was a roar like thunder, and flames and smoke ascended with
terrific fury, high above which were seen burning fragments of the wreck
spreading far and wide, which again came down upon the decks of the
conquerors, and fell hissing all around into the ocean. The next moment
the Spanish ship had disappeared; but flames were bursting out from
those of the Beggars which had been in contact with her. They, however,
were at length extinguished. I heard a sigh escape the bosom of the
young officer, near whom I was standing.

"He was my friend and guardian," he said. "Alas! he deserved a better
fate!"

At that instant there was a cry from the Spaniards, and though I turned
round instantly, I saw that every one of them had been tackled by one of
the English seamen, aided by the Flemish passengers. Several had been
cut down, but others had been captured without bloodshed.

"I must ask you for your sword, sir," said Captain Radford, holding a
p