They soon overtook the _Dainty_, and the fight went on through the second night, and they ceased firing again before the dawn; but there had been no interval for rest or refreshment, except to snatch a little bread and wine as they could. Indeed, some of the English crew had drunk heavily before the fight began; some ignorant seamen even mixed powder with their wine, thinking it would give them strength and courage. The result of their drinking was, of course, order, and foolish hardihood without reason, or vainglorious exposure to danger. And though Hawkins had prepared light armour for all, not a man would use it; yet it would have saved many from such wounds as splintered wood creates if they would have imitated their foe and worn armour. By the afternoon of the third day the enemy had the weather-gage of them, and their guns were telling with terrible effect. The _Dainty_ had now fourteen gaping wounds under water, eight foot of water in her hold, her sails torn to tatters, her masts bowing and bent, and her pumps useless--hardly a man was now unwounded. Again the master with others approached their commander: "Sir, the Spaniards still offer good war, life and liberty and an embarkation to England. If we wait any longer, sir, the ship will sink; unless a miracle be wrought in our behalf by God's almighty power, we may expect no deliverance or life." Hawkins was too ill to resist further; he murmured sadly: "Haul down the ensign, then, and hoist a flag of truce." So they bade the rest cease firing, and a Spanish prisoner was sent from the hold to tell Beltran de Castro that if he would give his word of honour the ship should be surrendered. Seeing the flag of truce, the Spaniard shouted: "Hoist out your boat, Englishman." "We cannot do so; it be all shot to pieces." "So is ours. Amain your sails, then; strike sail, can't you?" "No, we can't; there be not enough men left to handle them." Meanwhile the vice-admiral, not seeing the flag of truce, had come upon the _Dainty's_ quarter, and firing two of his chase-pieces, wounded the captain sorely in the thigh and maimed one of the master's mates. Then the Spanish admiral came alongside, and the prisoner jumped into the warship, and was received with all courtesy. Don Beltran affirmed that he received the commander and his people _à buena guerra_, to the laws of fair war and quarter. He swore by his habit of Alcantara, and the green cross of the order which he wore upon his breast, that he would give them their lives with good treatment, and send them as speedily as he could to their own country. "The Spanish admiral wants a pledge? Here is my glove; take it to him." Don Beltran also sent one of his captains to help to bring the English commander aboard the "admiral," which he did with great humanity and courtesy.