We  must  now  return  to  Prince  Bxi^wt,  who,  in  d»  midat  of  all  Us
disappointaMDla  bdunred  widi  so  much  calmness  and  intrepidity,  andiOr
fiised  by  his  ezesBple  so  much  spirit  into  his  officers,  that  fay  dcfiess  be
cleared  himsdf  of  all  his  enemies,  and  made  all  the  sail  he  could  lo  die
assistance  of  Sir  Edward  Spragge,  with  die  Uae  squadron,  who  was  thiR
engaged  with  Van  Tromp,  atabont  three  leagues  distance.
De  Rnyter  instan%  peroeiving  bishighness's  intention,  bore  rws^  sIss
to  die  assistance  of  Van  Tromp  ;  so  that  both  fleets  ran  down*  aide  by
side,  without  firing  aAot,  though  within  range  of  cannon  shot  of  essh
other*

At  the  beginning  of  the  ei^agement  between  Spragge  and  Van  Tnmff
the  former  in  the  Royal  Prince,  and  die  latter  in  die  Golden  Lien ;  fo^^
ehip4Dship*    The  Dutdi  admiral,  howevor, avoided ooming  to  ekee  Sif$9


nnrroRY  or  great  BRiiviiif.  .209

irEdirvd  Spngge  Imviiig  die  wind  and  smoke  in  his  boe,  suffered
by  the  enemy's  cannon»  without  being  able  to  make  as  good  a  use
own»  as  he  wonki  othenrise  have  done.  After  three  hours  warm
g^  both  ships  wwe  so  disabled,  that  Sir  Edwaid  was  obliged  to
i  the  St  George,  and  Van  Tiomp,  quitted  the  Golden  Lion  and
I  his  flag  on  board  the  Comet,  when  the  batde  was  renewed  with
led  iiiiy.
