Not long afterwards, he sent the two "hellburners," the 'Fortune' and the 'Hope,' directly in their wake.

Thus the whole fiery fleet had set forth, almost at once, upon its fatal voyage.
It was known to Parma that preparations for an attack were making at Antwerp, but as to the nature of the danger he was necessarily in the dark.

He was anticipating an invasion by a fleet from the city in combination with a squadron of Zeelanders coming up from below.

So soon as the first vessels, therefore, with their trains not yet lighted, were discovered bearing down from the city, he was confirmed in his conjecture.

His drama and trumpets instantly called to arms, and the whole body of his troops was mustered upon the bridge; the palisades, and in the nearest forts.