was a southwest
wind, and before it the vast vessels sailed slowly on. The English let
them pass by, and then, following in the rear, commenced an attack on
them. A running fight now took place, in which some of the best ships of
the Spaniards were captured; many more received heavy damage, while the
English vessels, which took care not to close with their huge antagonists,
but availed themselves of their superior celerity in tacking and
manoeuvring, suffered little comparative loss.

Each day added not only to the spirit, but to the number, of Effingham's
force. Raleigh, Oxford, Cumberland, and Sheffield joined him; and "the
gentlemen of England hired ships from all parts at their own charge, and
with one accord came flocking thither as to a set field where glory was
to be attained and faithful service performed unto their Prince and
their country."

Raleigh justly praises the English admiral for his skilful tactics:
"Certainly he that will happily perform a fight at sea must be skilful
in making choice of vessels to fight in: he must believe that there is
more belonging to a good man of war upon the waters than great daring,
and must know that there is a great deal of difference between fighting
loose or at large and grappling. The guns of a slow ship pierce as well
and make as great holes as those in a swift. To clap ships together,
without consideration, belongs rather to a madman than to a man of war;
for by such an ignorant bravery was Peter Strossie lost at the Azores
when he fought against the Marquis of Santa Cruza.

"In like sort had the Lord Charles Howard, admiral of England, been lost
in the year 1588, if he had not been better advised than a great many
malignant fools were that found fault with his demeanor. The Spaniards
had an army aboard them, and he had none; they had more ships than he
had, and of higher building and charging; so that, had he entangled
himself with those great and powerful vessels, he had greatly endangered
this kingdom of England; for twenty men upon the defences are equal to a
hundred that board and enter; whereas, then, contrariwise, the Spaniards
had a hundred for twenty of ours, to defend themselves withal. But our
admiral knew his advantage, and held it; which had he not done, he had
not been worthy to have held his head up."

The Spanish admiral also showed great judgment and firmness in following
the line of conduct that had been traced out for him; and on July 27th
he bro