The _Spaniards_ being now got clear of their troublesome Pursuers, resolv’d to make the best of their way for _Spain_. [117]Some Suspicions there were, that they design’d to betake themselves to the King of _Scots_, who was provok’d to an high degree for his Mother’s Death; and therefore, the better to keep him in Temper, _Ashby_, the Queen of _England_’s Ambassador in _Scotland_, made him very considerable Offers, which, however, were not performed: But the _Spaniards_ having now laid aside all Thoughts and Hopes of returning to attack the _English_; and perceiving their main Safety lay in their Flight, they made no Stop at any Port whatever. [118]About twenty five Ships now remain’d with the Duke of _Medina_, and forty with _Recalde_; [119]these, with the rest of the Fleet, sail’d about _Cathness_ for the Coast of _Ireland_, and pass’d between the _Orcades_ and _Fair-Isle_, to the sixty first Degree of North Latitude; [120]an unaccustom’d Place for the young Gallants of _Spain_, that had never felt Storms on the Sea, or cold Weather in _August_. [121]When the _English_ left off pursuing the _Spaniards_, the latter wanted of their whole Fleet fifteen or sixteen Ships; and had lost, in the several Engagements, and by Sickness, eight thousand Men at least. And here their ill Fortune did not stop, but continued to persecute them all the rest of their Voyage; [122]for on the Coast of _Scotland_ they lost the two following Ships, which had been so extremely battered by the _English_ Shot, that they founder’d at Sea; namely, the _St. Matthew_, a Ship of five hundred Tuns, in which four hundred and fifty Men were drowned; and a Biscainer of _St. Sebastian’s_, of four hundred Tuns, in which three hundred and fifty Men perished: [123]Moreover, in these or other Ships, above seven hundred Soldiers were cast on Shore in _Scotland_, who, by the Duke of _Parma_’s Mediation with the King of _Scots_, and with Queen _Elizabeth_’s Permission, were sent over, a Year after, into the _Low-Countries_. [124]About four Days after the _English_ Fleet left the _Spaniards_, they came to an Island in the North Part of _Scotland_, where they staid not, nor had any Relief: And at this Place the Duke of _Medina_ calling all the Ships together, charged them to make the best of their way for the Coasts of _Spain_ or _Portugal_, because they were in the utmost Distress for want of Victuals and other Provisions.