istol to the young officer, who turned round, but had not time to draw
his weapon. "You are our prisoner, and resistance will be useless!"

The capture of the Spaniards had not been accomplished a minute too
soon, for the Beggars' ships were almost within gunshot, and would have
opened their fire upon us. Instantly the Spanish ensign was hauled
down, and that of England hoisted. The officer, seeing that he could do
nothing, at once, with a bow, handed his sword to Captain Radford.

"Pray keep it, and promise that you will not use it against us," said
the captain, handing it him back.

Our sails were on this furled, and a boat, by Captain Radford's orders,
was lowered.

"To prevent mistakes, I must go on board the Beggars' ships, or they may
perchance open their fire without inquiring who we are. They are not
very scrupulous in that matter."

This precaution of Captain Radford I believe saved us. He quickly
reached the headmost of the two vessels, and explained how matters stood
to the officer in command--the gallant Treslong.

I need not describe the joy of the poor Flemings at this happy turn of
affairs. Instead of prisoners, they were now at liberty, and warmly
congratulated by their countrymen who came on board. It would have
fared but ill with Don Rodrigo and his men had they not already been
made prisoners, and had we not interfered in their favour. When the
officer from the Beggars' squadron came on board, we at once explained
how he had behaved towards us, and begged that he might be treated with
courtesy and consideration, of which he was certainly well worthy.
Finding that the heart of the Beggar officer was still unmoved, I
whispered to him that I felt sure he was himself a Protestant, and
served the King Philip very much against his will. This seemed to have
very great weight with the officer, and he only advised that he should
remain with our party, promising that he should receive neither insult
nor injury.

A'Dale and I were anxious to visit our late captors, as well as some of
the Beggars' squadron. The two captured vessels lay together, almost
wrecks, and it was evident, from the way the pumps were going, that they
could with difficulty be kept afloat. We went up the side of one of
them. I had witnessed several sad scenes, but my heart sickened when I
beheld the perfect shambles the deck had in a short time become. It
seemed as if the whole of her crew must have been shot down by the