THE SEA. 



a hundred men in his boats, under Sir Amias Preston. The Spaniards fought bravely, 

 but at length Moncada was shot through the head, and the galleas was carried by boarding. 

 Most of the Spanish soldiers, 400 in number, jumped overboard and were drowned; the 

 300 galley-slaves were freed from their fetters. The vessel had 50,000 ducats on board, 

 "a booty/' says Speed, "well fitting the English soldiers' affections." The English 



THE FI11E-8HIPS ATTAC'KIXG TUB AKMAPA. 



were about to set the galleas on fire, but the governor of Calais prevented this by firing 

 upon the captors, and the ship became his prize. 



The Duke of Medina Sidonia, admiral of the Spanish Armada, had ordered the whole 

 fleet to weigh anchor and stand out to sea when he perceived the approaching fire-ships; 

 his vessels were to return to their former stations when the danger should be over. When 

 he fired a signal for the others to follow his example, few of them heard it, " because 

 they were scattered all about, and driven by fear, some of them in the wide sea, and 

 driven among the shoals of Flanders." When they had once more congregated, they 

 ranged themselves in order off Gravelines, where the final action was fought. Drake and 

 Fenner were the first to assail them, followed by many brave captains, and lastly the 



