barked on board a handfome Hoop* of his own* taking with Mm fome ferjeants, and "about twenty crofs-bows, and made fail for the fleet j but it was towards the end of the defeat, for the Englifh had taken the greater part of the enemy's fhips, with their admiral, fir John de Bucq, and all on board* Arnold le Maire, perceiving it was over, made his crofs-bows fhoot thrice, and then made off ; he was chaced as far as the harbour of Sluys, and there efcaped, from the large veflels being unable to follow him; through the fhoals and low water. The town of Sluys was thunderftruck when it was known that their fleet from la Rochelle had been conquered by the Englifh, and every moment expe&ed to be attacked* The inhabitants knew not how to act, whether to fly or embark on board their laid-up veflels, to wait the event and defend themfelves. Had the Englifh fufpe&ed the ftate of Sluys, they might have been lords of that town and caftle, or had they followed the advice of Peter du Bois, who ftrongly recommended* when they were mafters of the fleet, to make for Sluys, which they would be fure to gain. The Englifh, however, thought they had done fufficientj and fome faid, € We fhall commit a great folly if we enter Sluys; for thofe of Bruges, Damme and Ardembourg will fhut us up irj it, and we fh^ll thus lofe all we have won. • It is much better that we keep our prizes, and make. war with prudence.' . The Englifh, therefore, did not difembark, but contented themfelves with attempting to burn the veflels