Of a sudden all voices were hushed as up the poop-ladder comes
the commander Don Miguel in his black armour, who, looking long
and steadily to windward, gives a sign with his gauntleted hand,
whereon divers of the officers go off hot-foot, some to muster
the long files of arquebusiers, others to overlook the setting of
more sail and the like. And now was a prodigious cracking of
whips followed by groans and cries and screaming curses, and
straightway the long oars began to swing with a swifter beat.
From where I stood in my bonds I could look down upon the poor,
naked wretches as they rose and fell, each and all at the same
moment, in time to the stroke.

For maybe half an hour the chase was kept up and then all at once
the decks quivered 'neath the discharge of one of the forward
culverins; and presently, as the great galleass altered her
course, obedient to the motion of Don Miguel's hand, I beheld,
some half-league to windward, the towering stern of the ship we
were pursuing, whose length gradually grew upon me as we
overhauled her until she was fairly in view. She was a small
ship, and by her build I did not doubt but that she was English;
even as I watched, up to her mizzen-peak fluttered the English
flag. And hereupon a great yearning came upon me, insomuch that
of a sudden her high, weatherbeaten sides, her towering masts and
patched canvas grew all blurred and indistinct.

Thrice already our guns had roared, yet (though she was now so
close that I made out her very rope and spar) she made no sign.
In a little our guns fell silent also, wherefore, looking about,
I beheld Don Miguel standing beside the tiller yet with his
impassive gaze ever bent upon the foe; and, as I watched, I read