Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-25
CHAPTER XVII.
(Continued)
The Spaniards on
the Sea
FTHE Basilisk had
1 indeed been
Sped from the

Spanish Admirals ship before the fog closed down.
With so light breeze and such fog, he could not
hope to find her under sail. But by evil chance
not bow-shot from the great Spanish Carrack
a low galley, thin and swift with oars which could
speed her against wind tide. She also had seen
the Basilisk, and it to her that the Spanish
leader shouted his orders. For few minutes she
hunted through the fog and then sprang out of it
like a lean and stealthy beast upon its prey. 1t
was the sight of the long dark shadow gliding after
them which had brought that wild shout of alarm
from the lips of the English knight. In another
instant the starboard oars of the galley had been
shipped the sides of the vessels grated together,
and stream of swarthy, red-capped Spaniards
were swarming up the sides of the Baslsk and
dropping with yells of triumph upon her deck
For a moment it seemed if the vessel was cap
tured without blow being struck for the of
the English ship had wildly in all directions to
look for their arms. Scores OF archers might be
seen under the shadow of the forecastle and the
poop bending their bowstaves to string them with
the cords from their waterproof cases. Others
were scrambling over saddles barrels and cases in
wild search of their quivers. Each as he came upon
his arrows pulled out few to lend to his less for
tunate comrades. In mad haste the men-at-arms
also feeling and grasping in the dark corners,
picking up steel caps which would not fit them,
hurting them down the deck, and snatching
eagerly at any swords spears that came their
way.
The center of the ship was held by the Spaniards,
were pressing up to either end before they
made to understand that it fat sheep but
most fierce old wolf which they had taken by the
ears.
If the lesson was late, it was the more thorough.
Attacked both sides and hopelessly outnumbered,
the Spaniards who had never doubted that this
little craft merchant ship were cut off to the
last man. 1t was no fight, but a butchery In
vain the survivors ran, screaming prayers to the
saints and threw themselves down into the galley
alongside. 1t also had been ridded with arrows
from the poop of the Basilisk, and both the crew
the deck and the galley-saves in the outriggers
at either side lay dead under the
whelming shower from above From stem to rud
der every foot of her was furred with arrows. 1t
was but floating coffin piled with dead and dying
men which walowcd in the waves behind them as
the Baslisk lurched onward and left her in the fog.
In their first rush on the Basilisk, the Spaniards
had seized six of the and four unarmed
archers Their threats had been cut and
their bodies tossed overheard. Now the Span
iards who Uttered the deck, wounded and tS
dead, thrust the side in the same ~
fashion One ran down into the hold and W
had to be hunted and killed squealing under
the blows like a rat in the darkness. Within
half an hour no sign was left of this grim meet
ing in the fog save for the crimson splashes
upon bulwarks and deck. The archers, flushed
and merry unstringing their bows once
more, for in spite of the water-glue the damp
air took the strength from the cords. Some
hunting about for arrows which might
have stuck inboard and some tying up small in
juries received in the scuffle
But anxious shadow still fingered upon the face
of Sir Robert, and he peered fxedly about him
through the fog. Go among the archers, Haw-
Inorne" said he to his Squire. Charge them
their lives to make no soundl You also, Loring. Go