Page:The Cornwall coast.djvu/32

 26 THE CORNWALL COAST men intended to prevent them. It was in the early Sunday morning that the Spaniards first caught sight of the English fleet — the royal or official squadron under Lord Howard, the volun- teers under Francis Drake. Displaying his con- secrated standard, the Duke Medina endeavoured to interpose between the two sections of the opposing flotilla, thinking to destroy them sepa- rately at his ease; but he was readily circumvented in his design, finding to his cost that the English vessels could sail closer to the wind than his own, and could be manipulated more quickly, while their guns carried further. His cumbrous ships also were too much crowded with men, being fitter for transport than for action ; the fighters were impeded by the press, and every effective shot from the enemy's guns found many victims. The English managed to keep at a distance while they delivered their raking broadsides, which, according to the Spanish notions, was against all principles of chivalrous sea warfare. But, as Froude says, " it was effective, it was perplexing, it was deadly." Drake and Howard did not wish to come to closer quarters with their formidable foes ; a near embrace of those heavy galleons, fully manned with brave men, might soon have brought disaster ; the struggle would have been too unequal. It is the art of the weaker to be elusive. The engagement lasted till late on Sunday afternoon, by which time the squadrons had drifted past Plymouth Sound. Not many hours later the Capitana, England's first prize, was being towed into Dartmouth harbour, giving a welcome booty in bullion and powder. The Armada had received a first blow, from which it never recovered ; though recovery might yet