A REPORT OF A WORTHY FIGHT ad 



1586. 



would please him to assist them in that good quarell 



of theirs, in defending themselves against so proud a 



tyrant, to teach their handes to warre, and their fingers 



to fight, that the glory of the victory might redound 



to his Name, and to the honor of true Religion which 



the insolent enemie sought so much to overthrowe. 



Contrarily, the foolish Spaniardes cried out according to 



their maner, not to God, but to our Lady (as they terme 



the virgin Mary) saying, O Lady helpe, O blessed Lady 



give us the victory, and the honor thereof shalbe thine. 



Thus with blowes & prayers on both sides the fight 



continued furious and sharpe, and doubtful a long time 



to which part the victory would incline : til at the last 



the Admiral of the Gallies of Sicilie began to warpe 



from the fight, and to holde up her side for feare of 



sinking, and after her went also two others in like case, 



whom al the sort of them inclosed, labouring by all 



their meanes to keepe them above water, being ready 



by the force of English shot which they had received to 



perish in the seas : & what slaughter was done among 



the Spaniards themselves, the English were uncertaine, 



but by a probable conjecture apparant afar off, they 



supposed their losse was so great, that they wanted men 



to continue the charging of their pieces: whereupon with Afightoffii 



shame and dishonor, after 5. houres spent in the battel, houres - 



they withdrew themselves : and the English contented 



in respect of their deepe lading, rather to continue their 



voyage then to follow the chase, ceased from further 



blowes, with the losse onely of two men slaine amongst 



them all, and another hurt in his arme, whom M. 



Wilkinson with his good words and friendly promises 



did so comfort, that he nothing esteemed the smart of 



his wound in respect of the honour of the victory, and 



the shamefull repulse of the enemy. 



Thus with duetiful thankes to the mercy of God for 

 his gracious assistance in that danger, the English ships 

 proceeded in their Navigation, and comming as high as 

 Alger, a port towne upon the coast of Barbary, they fell 



55 



