fclves gallantly, as their commander, fir John de Bucq, had advifed them. He and his company were well armed, in a fhip equal to any he might meet, and had their cannons on board, which (hot balls of fuch a weight that great mifchief was done. The Flemings, during the engagement, made as much fail as they could for Flanders ; indeed, fome of the mer'chant-fhips had already gained the coaft, and had run into (boat water, where the large (hips could not follow them for fear of the fand-banks. This battle was very long and obftinate, for it continued three or four hours, and many of the veflels were funk by the large bolts of iron, fharply pointed,that were caft down from the tops,and drove holes through them, When night came on, they feparated and caft anchor, to repair their damages and take care of the wounded ; but, .on the return of the tide, they fet their fails and renewed the combat. Peter du Bois commanded a body of archfers and failors, and gave the Flemings enough to do ; for, having been a failor himfelf, he knew how to aft, and was enraged at the Flemings for having held out fo long. The Englifh continually gained on the Flemings, and, having got between them and Blanquenberg and Sluys, drove them to Cadfand, where the defeat was completed. They received no fuccour, for at this time there were neither men at arms nor veflels in Sluys fit x for fea. Indeed, a fquire of Sluys, called Arnold le Maire, when he heard of the engagement, em* barked 159 _