264 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 



management of a somewhat impaired fortune, but 

 having been named admiral at the age of thirty -nine, 

 he at once displayed the greatest military talents, and 

 a most indomitable firmness.* He had begun by at- 

 tacking the royal fleet, which was twice as strong as 

 his own, and after putting it to flight, had captured 

 several vessels. Next, with 5000 men and 500 can- 

 nons, he attacked the Duke de Guise, whose vessels 

 were at once larger and better armed, carrying 14,000 

 men and nearly 650 cannons. This was a most san- 

 guinary battle. 14,000 discharges of cannon were 

 made in two hours, and both commanders incurred 

 the most imminent peril. Night interrupted this 

 unequal struggle ; but instead of profiting by it to 

 escape, Guiton and his Bochellais remained in battle 

 array, ready to recommence hostilities in the morning. 

 By break of day news arrived that peace had been 

 signed. Then Guiton went to salute the Duke de 

 Guise, and offered him his standard as the representa- 

 tive of the king of France. Guise refused it, declar- 

 ing that he had not gained it. He embraced Guiton, 

 and said to the Rochellais captains, " Yous etes de 

 braves gens d'avoir oze combattre si vaillamment ; c'est 

 a quoy je ne m'attendais pas, et estimais que, voyant 

 une armee si puissante, vous deussiez vous retirer 

 sans combattre." " Monseigneur," answered Gui- 

 ton, " jusqu'ici Dieu m'a faict cette grace de n'avoir 

 jamais tourne le dos au combat, et je me fusse plus- 

 tot perdu par le feu que de fair." 



Such was the man whom the Rochellais chose for 



* Jean Guiton, dernier maire de Vancienne Commune de La 

 Rochelle, by P. S. Callot, ex-mayor of the city, 1847. 



