Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 4.djvu/151

1545.] designed for this purpose escaped in a storm; but Lisle, not choosing to be disappointed, sailed without them, and ventured himself into the Seine, within shot of the French. The galleys came out to skirmish, but the weather became again dangerous; and the admiral, as much in fear of a lee shore as of the enemy, returned to Portsmouth.

At last with July came the summer, bringing with it its calms and heat; and the great armament, commanded by D'Annebault in person, sailed for England. A few straggling ships, in search of plunder, or to mislead the English, made a first attempt to effect a landing at Brighton; but the beacons were fired, the country rose j and the few companies who were on shore were driven back before they had effected more than trifling injury. The main body, which they soon rejoined, had held their course direct to the Solent.

The King was at Portsmouth, having gone down to review the fleet, when, on the 18th of July, two hundred sail were reported at the back of the Isle of Wight. The entire force of the enemy, which had been collected, had been safely transported across the Channel. With boats feeling the way in front with sounding-lines, they rounded St Helen's Point, and took up their position in a line which extended from Brading Harbour almost to Hyde. In the light evening breeze, fourteen English ships stood across to