{MN-2} Here he incountred one of the thieves.
{MN-3} The Nobleness of the Earl of Plover.
{MN-4} An inhuman act of the Provincials in casting him overboard.
{MN-5} Capt. La Roche relieves him.
CHAP. III.
A desperate Sea Fight in the Streights; His Passage to Rome, Naples, and the view of Italy.
Betwixt the two Capes, they met with an Argosie of Venice; it seemed the Captain desired to speak with them, whose untoward answer was such, as slew them a Man; {MN} whereupon the Britain presently gave them the Broad-side, then his Stern, and his other Broad-side also, and continued the Chase, with his chase Pieces, till he gave them so many Broad-sides one after another, that the Argosies Sails and Tackling was so torn, she stood to her defence, and made shot for shot; twice in one hour and a half the Britain boarded her, yet they cleared themselves, but clapping her aboard again, the Argosie fired him, which with much danger to them both was presently quenched. This rather augmented the Britain's rage, than abated his courage; for having reaccommodated himself again, shot her so oft between Wind and Water, she was ready to sink, then they yielded; the Britain lost fifteen Men, she twenty, besides divers were hurt, the rest went to Work on all hands; some to stop the Leaks, others to guard the Prisoners that were chained, the rest to ride her. The Silks, Velvets, Cloth of Gold, and Tissue, Piasters, Chicqueens and Sultanies, which is Gold and Silver, they unloaded in four and twenty hours, was wonderful, whereof having sufficient, and tired with toil, they cast her off with her Company, with as much good Merchandize as would have fraughted such another Britain, that was but two Hundred Tuns, she four or five Hundred.
{MN} A desperate Sea Fight.