2IO THE CALL OF THE SEA 



opposed to only half of the allied fleet ; and 

 against that half they maintained the conflict with 

 their usual courage and with more than their usual 

 seamanship. After a hard and doubtful fight of 

 five hours, Tourville thought that enough had been 

 done to maintain the honour of the white flag, and 

 began to draw off. But by this time the wind had 

 veered, and was with the allies. They were now 

 able to avail themselves of their great superiority 

 of force. They came on fast. The retreat of the 

 French became a flight. Tourville fought his own 

 ship desperately. She was named, in allusion to 

 Lewis's favourite emblem, the Royal Sun, and was 

 widely renowned as the finest vessel in the world. 

 It was reported among the English sailors that 

 she was adorned with an image of the Great King, 

 and that he appeared there, as he appeared in the 

 Place of Victories, with vanquished nations in 

 chains beneath his feet. The gallant ship, sur- 

 rounded by enemies, lay like a great fortress on 

 the sea, scattering death on every side from her 

 hundred and four portholes. She was so formid- 

 ably manned that all attempts to board her failed. 

 Long after sunset, she got clear of her assailants, 

 and, with all her scuppers spouting blood, made 

 for the coast of Normandy. She had suffered so 

 much that Tourville hastily removed his flag to a 

 ship of ninety guns which was named the 

 Ambitious. By this time his fleet was scattered 



