The _Spaniards_ now sent several Messengers, one after another, to the Duke of _Parma_, to press and importune him to send out forty Fly-Boats to their Assistance; without which, by reason of the Unwieldiness of their Ships, they could not, as they said, engage the light and active Vessels of the _English_; they entreated him likewise, with great Earnestness, to use all Speed in embarking his Army, and be ready to take the first Opportunity, under their Protection, of landing in _England_; but it seems he was not ready, and so could not answer their Summons; his flat-bottom’d Boats were all leaky, his Provisions not yet all brought in, and his Sailors, who had been hitherto kept together against their Wills, had deserted in great numbers; besides, thirty five Men of War belonging to _Holland_ and _Zealand_, commanded by Count _Justin de Nassau_, continued to block up the very Mouth of the Harbours of _Dunkirk_ and _Nieuport_, from whence alone he could put to Sea; and so well were they furnished with great Guns and small Arms, that he could not possibly put from Shore, without running a very great and manifest Danger; however, intending as soon as he conveniently could, to join the _Spanish_ Fleet, he sent a Pinnace to inform the Duke of _Medina_, “[84]That he could not be ready for them ’till the _Friday_ following, _September 4_;” but the _Spanish_ Fleet was forced to depart before that time, in the utmost Hurry and Confusion. [85]For, on _July 28_, the next Day [Sidenote: PLATE 9.]after their coming to an Anchor, the Lord Admiral, by the Queen’s express Command and Direction, singled out eight of his worst Ships; bestowed upon them good Plenty of Pitch, Tar, Rosin, and Wildfire; lined them well with Brimstone and other combustible Matter; and loaded all their Cannon with Bullets, Chains, and the like destructive Instruments; thus equip’d, he sent them with the Wind and Tide, about two o’ Clock in the Morning, into the midst of the _Spanish_ Fleet, under the Conduct of —— _Young_ and —— _Prowse_; who when they were come within Cannon-Shot, set Fire to the Trains, and then retired. The Approach of these Fire-Ships, and the dreadful Blaze which the Fire made all the Sea over, was no sooner perceived by the _Spaniards_, but it put their whole Fleet into the utmost Consternation. Many of the Soldiers on board had been at the Siege of _Antwerp_[86], and seen the destructive Machines made use of there: Suspecting therefore that these were big with other Engines of Slaughter, besides the destructive Element that show’d itself without, they began to raise a most hideous Clamour of, _Cut your Cables, or get up your Anchors_; [87]and in a panic Fright put to Sea with all the Confusion and Precipitancy imaginable.