The Spaniards were anchored off Calais. At two o’clock one morning a strange, shapeless object was seen floating toward them. Then came another and another until there were eight. Fire blazed up from the floating monsters. There were explosions and suffocating gases. The flames rose higher, wind and waves were bringing these malignant creatures, that seemed half alive, into the midst of the Spanish fleet.
This attack by fire-boats was a new way of fighting. The Spaniards were perplexed and horrified. Their only thought was to escape anywhere, no matter where, if only they could get free from these terrors. In their haste anchor chains fouled, some ships collided, others burned or ran aground.
The land forces were encamped at Tilbury. “I am commander in chief of my troops,” declared Elizabeth, “and I shall go to pay them a visit.”
“Is it safe to commit yourself to armed multitudes? Among so many there may well be treachery,” suggested her councilors.
“Let tyrants fear,” returned Elizabeth. “I am true to my people, and they are my faithful and loving subjects. I should rather die than live in fear and distrust of them. I shall go to visit my loyal soldiers.”
It must have been a brilliant sight, the long lines of soldiers in battle array, and the queen riding in front of the lines on her great charger. Before her went Leicester and another noble bearing the sword of state. Behind her followed a page carrying her helmet with its white plumes. She was magnificently dressed, but over her dress was a corslet of polished steel. Back and forth before the lines she rode, while the soldiers shouted, “Queen Elizabeth! Queen Elizabeth! God save the queen! The Lord keep her!” She raised her hand, and there was silence to hear her words.
“I have the body of a weak, feeble woman,” she said, “but I have the heart of a king, of a king of England, and I think it foul scorn that any prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm. Rather than that any dishonor should come by me, I will take up arms, I will be your general myself, and the rewarder of every deed of bravery. You deserve already rewards and crowns, and they shall be paid. It will not be long before we have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.”
While Elizabeth was still at Tilbury, two messengers came with a thrilling report.
“A fierce battle has been fought off Gravelines. Drake was in command.”
“My noble sailor laddie,” said the queen proudly. “Tell me of it. I would know the deeds of every one of my brave captains.”