Of these daring Englishmen, patricians and plebeians together, in two open pinnaces, there were not more than one hundred in number, all told.

They soon laid themselves close to the Capitana, far below her lofty sides, and called on Don Hugo to surrender.

The answer was, a smile of derision from the haughty Spaniard, as he looked down upon them from what seemed an inaccessible height.

Then one Wilton, coxswain of the Delight; of Winter's squadron, clambered up to the enemy's deck and fell dead the same instant.

Then the English volunteers opened a volley upon the Spaniards; "They seemed safely ensconced in their ships," said bold Dick Tomson, of the Margaret and Joan, "while we in our open pinnaces, and far under them, had nothing to shroud and cover us." Moreover the numbers were, seven hundred and fifty to one hundred.