Part 23 (1/2)

However, by nightfall the gale abated somewhat, and by the next morning the sea had gone down sufficient for the main deck ports to be opened. So the Dutch, having the weather gauge, sailed down to engage us.

”I thought it rough work in the fight two months before, but it was as nothing to this. To begin with, the Dutch fire-s.h.i.+ps came down before the wind, and it was as much as we could do to avoid them.

They did, indeed, set the _Triumph_ on fire, and most of the crew jumped overboard; but those that remained managed to put out the flames.

”Lawson, with the Blue Squadron, began the fighting, and that so briskly, that De Ruyter's flags.h.i.+p was completely disabled and towed out of the fight. However, after I had seen that, our turn began, and I had no more time to look about. I only know that s.h.i.+p after s.h.i.+p came up to engage us, seeming bent upon lowering Monk's flag. Three Dutch Admirals, Tromp, Evertson, and De Ruyter, as I heard afterwards, came up in turn. We did not know who they were, but we knew they were Admirals by their flags, and pounded them with all our hearts; and so good was our aim that I myself saw two of the Admirals' flags brought down, and they say that all three of them were lowered. But you may guess the pounding was not all on our side, and we suffered very heavily.

”Four men were hurt at the gun I worked, and nigh half the crew were killed or wounded. Two of our masts were shot away, many of our guns disabled, and towards the end of the fight we were towed out of the line. How the day would have gone if Van Tromp had continued in command of the Dutch, I cannot say, but about noon he was shot through the body by a musket-ball, and this misfortune greatly discouraged the Dutchmen, who fight well as long as things seem to be going their way, but lose heart very easily when they think the matter is going against them.

”By about two o'clock the officers shouted to us that the Dutch were beginning to draw off, and it was not long before they began to fly, each for himself, and in no sort of order. Some of our light frigates, that had suffered less than the line-of-battle s.h.i.+ps, followed them until the one Dutch Admiral whose flag was left flying, turned and fought them till two or three of our heavier s.h.i.+ps came up and he was sunk.

”We could see but little of the chase, having plenty of work, for, had a gale come on, our s.h.i.+p, and a good many others, would a.s.suredly have been driven ash.o.r.e, in the plight we were in. Anyhow, at night their s.h.i.+ps got into the Texel, and our vessels, which had been following them, anch.o.r.ed five or six leagues out, being afraid of the sands. Altogether we had burnt or sunk twenty-six of their s.h.i.+ps of war, while we lost only two frigates, both of which were burnt by their fire-s.h.i.+ps.

”As it was certain that they would not come out for some time again, and many of our s.h.i.+ps being unfit for further contention until repaired, we returned to England, and I got my discharge and joined Captain Dave again a fortnight later, when his s.h.i.+p came up the river.

”Monk is a good fighter, Master Cyril, and should have the command of the Fleet instead of, as they say, the Duke of York. Although he is called General, and not Admiral, he is as good a sea-dog as any of them, and he can think as well as fight.

”Among our s.h.i.+ps that day were several merchantmen that had been taken up for the service at the last moment and had guns slapped on board, with gunners to work them. Some of them had still their cargoes in the hold, and Monk, thinking that it was likely the captains would think more of saving their s.h.i.+ps and goods than of fighting the Dutch, changed the captains all round, so that no man commanded his own vessel. And the consequence was that, as all admitted, the merchantmen were as willing to fight as any, and bore themselves right stoutly.

”Don't you think, Master Cyril, if you go with the Fleet, that you are going to see much of what goes on. It will be worse for you than it was for me, for there was I, labouring and toiling like a dumb beast, with my mind intent upon working the gun, and paying no heed to the roar and confusion around, scarce even noticing when one beside me was struck down. You will be up on the p.o.o.p, having naught to do but to stand with your hand on your sword hilt, and waiting to board an enemy or to drive back one who tries to board you. You will find that you will be well-nigh dazed and stupid with the din and uproar.”

”It does not sound a very pleasant outlook, John,” Cyril laughed.

”However, if I ever do get into an engagement, I will think of what you have said, and will try and prevent myself from getting either dazed or stupid; though, in truth, I can well imagine that it is enough to shake anyone's nerves to stand inactive in so terrible a scene.”

”You will have to take great care of yourself, Cyril,” Nellie said gravely.

Captain Dave and John Wilkes both burst into a laugh.

”How is he to take care of himself, Nellie?” her father said. ”Do you suppose that a man on deck would be any the safer were he to stoop down with his head below the rail, or to screw himself up on the leeward side of a mast? No, no, la.s.s; each man has to take his share of danger, and the most cowardly runs just as great a risk as the man who fearlessly exposes himself.”

CHAPTER XI

PRINCE RUPERT

The next day Cyril went down to breakfast in what he had often called, laughingly, his Court suit. This suit he had had made for him a short time before his father's death, to replace the one he had when he came over, that being altogether outgrown. He had done so to please Sir Aubrey, who had repeatedly expressed his anxiety that Cyril should always be prepared to take advantage of any good fortune that might befall him. This was the first time he had put it on.

”Well, truly you look a pretty fellow, Cyril,” the Captain said, as he entered. ”Don't you think so, Nellie?”

The girl nodded.

”I don't know that I like him better than in his black suit, father.

But he looks very well.”

”Hullo, la.s.s! This is a change of opinion, truly! For myself I care not one jot for the fas.h.i.+on of a man's clothes, but I had thought that you always inclined to gay attire, and Cyril now would seem rather to belong to the Court than to the City.”

”If it had been any other morning, father, I might have thought more of Cyril's appearance; but what you were telling us but now of the continuance of the Plague is so sad, that mourning, rather than Court attire, would seem to be the proper wear.”

”Is the Plague spreading fast, then, Captain Dave?”