JAMES ANTHONY FROUDP: 20I 



But they had now enteicd tlie latitude of the 

 storms which tlirough the whole season had 

 raged round the English shore. The same night 

 a south-west gale overtook them. They lay-to, 

 not daring to run further. The four galleys unable 

 to keep the sea were driven in upon the French 

 coast, and wrecked. The Santa Ana, a galleon of 

 eight hundred tons, went down, carrying with her 

 ninety seamen, three hundred soldiers, and fifty 

 thousand ducats in gold. The weather was 

 believed to be under the peculiar care of God, 

 and this first misfortune was of evil omen for the 

 future. The storm lasted two days, and then the 

 sky cleared, and, again gathering into order, they 

 proceeded on their way. On the I9th-29th they 

 were in the mouth of the Channel. At daybreak 

 on the morning of the 2olh 30th the Lizard was 

 under their Ice, and an English fishing boat was 

 hanging near them, counting their numbers. They 

 gave chase ; but the boat shot away down wind 

 and disappeared. They captured another an iiour 

 or two later, from which they learnt the English 

 fleet was in Plymouth, and Medina Sidonia called 

 a council of war, to consider whether they should 

 go in, and fall upon it while at anchor. I'hilip's 

 orders, however, were peremptory tli.it they 

 should turn neither right nor left, and make 

 straight for Margate roads and I'arma. The 

 Duke was unenterprising, and consciously un- 



