as the chimney, and covered with dirt, pitch, and tarr, and powder, and
muffled with dirty clouts, and his right eye stopped with okum. He is
come last night at five o'clock from the fleete, with a comrade of his
that hath endangered another eye. They were set on shore at Harwich this
morning, and at two o'clock, in a catch with about twenty more wounded men
from the Royall Charles. They being able to ride, took post about three
this morning, and were here between eleven and twelve. I went presently
into the coach with them, and carried them to Somerset-House-stairs, and
there took water (all the world gazing upon us, and concluding it to be
newes from the fleete, and every body's face appeared expecting of newes)
to the Privy-stairs, and left them at Mr. Coventry's lodging (he, though,
not being there); and so I into the Parke to the King, and told him my
Lord Generall was well the last night at five o'clock, and the Prince come
with his fleete and joyned with his about seven. The King was mightily
pleased with this newes, and so took me by the hand and talked a little of
it. Giving him the best account I could; and then he bid me to fetch the
two seamen to him, he walking into the house. So I went and fetched the
seamen into the Vane room to him, and there he heard the whole account.

THE FIGHT.

How we found the Dutch fleete at anchor on Friday half seas over, between
Dunkirke and Ostend, and made them let slip their anchors. They about
ninety, and we less than sixty. We fought them, and put them to the run,
till they met with about sixteen sail of fresh ships, and so bore up
again. The fight continued till night, and then again the next morning
from five till seven at night. And so, too, yesterday morning they begun
again, and continued till about four o'clock, they chasing us for the most
part of Saturday and yesterday, we flying from them. The Duke himself,
then those people were put into the catch, and by and by spied the