I paced the deck and watched the men, who, perspiring and grimy, were cleaning the great guns, stacking cutlasses and swords in huge heaps upon the vessel, and bringing up ammunition from the hold. Some of them were singing rude songs as they toiled at their work; others, grim and silent, were staggering under the weight of the iron balls for the guns. Everywhere there were hope and courage, even in the face of the overwhelming force they were to face in a few hours. Not for a moment did I see any trace of despair and discouragement. "Let them come," growled one burly fellow, as he whirled a great cutlass and made it hum about his head; "we will give them such a dose that they will ne'er come back for a second." A low murmur of approval came from his fellows, as with set and determined faces they stopped work an instant to look at him. All the short summer night the boats came and went, until when the great light of morning broke, everything was prepared for the fray. Oliver had been with Sir Francis Drake, running to and fro carrying messages and commands, and now he pulled back with him at daybreak from the vessel of Lord Howard, where Drake had been in consultation all night. Sleepy and red-eyed the boy scrambled on board. "Thou hadst best catch a minute or two of sleep, lad," I said, as he came near me. "Thou wilt need it before night, or I shall be mistaken." "Aye," he answered, "I shall lie down in a moment," and he passed down the ladder. Drake lingered a moment by me. "Wilt strike a blow with us to-day for the honor of old England, Sir Thomas?" he said. "Or hast thou enough of England?" I faced him as he stood there in the dim light of the morn. "I will fight with thee," I answered. "Good!" he replied. "We will need all of our stout arms before night, for we are few compared with the Spaniards. I pray God will defend the right and give us victory," and he passed forward among his men. And now at the sound of the culverin from Howard's ship the noise ceased. The seamen and gentlemen who gathered on the decks of the vessels knelt with one accord. 'Twas a solemn sight as they knelt with bared heads, and the holy men of God lifted their voices and prayed for England, now sorely beset by her foes. "And if it be thy will, O Lord, we ask that she may emerge from this calamity now upon her with increased glory and honor, and that the strength of the wicked may be utterly put to flight, like the chaff before the wind. Wilt thou, O Father, stretch forth thy hand and smite them root and branch." So prayed our chaplain. The men cheered as they rose to their feet. Then we sailed out, one by one, to meet the Spaniards, who were only five miles away--on that summer morning, the 19th of July, 1588.