undertaken the same), unless the admiral of the squadron hang out two flags, one over another. If it be necessary that three do follow, then shall the General, or admiral of the squadron hang out three flags, one over another, which shall be for warrant to the next and fittest to follow as aforesaid. But if the admiral bear up, and come upon a wind himself, then may all the squadron give chase, and follow. Which, if it should seem convenient to any of the Lords Generals of the army, if it please any of them to hang out the flag of council, the same may be a warning that the chase is misliked, and that then all give over and keep their course.
"XI. Every ship shall, towards the evening, seek to come, as near as she conveniently may, to speak with the admiral of the squadron, to know his pleasure and what course he will keep; and that the admiral of a squadron do bear up, or stand upon a wind, to speak with us, their Generals, if he conveniently may. The rest of the squadrons may, notwithstanding, keep their course and distance. And if the admiral of the squadron cannot recover the head of his fleet before night, the rest shall then follow the light of the vice-admiral of the said squadron.
"XII. That every squadron keep a good breadth one from another, and that the squadrons do, in themselves, keep a reasonable breadth one from another, that they fall not foul one of another, whereby danger may grow; and that the great ships have especial regard not to calm the smaller ships. And if any of these smaller ships shall negligently bring themselves in danger of the greater ships, the Captains and Masters especially shall be severely punished. And further, that either the admiral, or rear-admiral of the squadron be always in the rearward of his fleet.
"XIII. When there is a flag of council of the red cross[1] out in either one of the two Generals' ships, half-mast high against the main mizzen,[2] then the Captains and Masters of every ship shall repair on board that ship where the flag is so hung out. And when the flag of arms[3] shall be displayed, then shall the selected Council[4] only come on board.
"XIV. If your ship happen to spring a mast, to fall into a leak, or such mischance (which God forbid), you shall shoot off a piece and spring a loose.[5] If it be in the night, you shall shoot off two pieces and bear two great lights, one a man's height and a half above another.
"XV. Every Captain and Master of the Fleet shall have a special regard that no contention be found betwixt the mariners and the soldiers. And in time of sickness (if any do happen amongst you), you shall, of such good things as are to be had and are needful for them, distribute unto them in such convenient sort as you may.
"XVI.[6] If you happen to lose company, your token shall be [...] main-topsail twice, if it be foul weather, th [...] strike your main mizzen twice, or as often as you list [...] nder [...] re your white pennant on your mizzen yard. And if you shall be of the company of us, your Generals, you shall find us at such place as we will give you instructions for, at sea.
"XVII. If in chasing of any ship you happen to fetch her up, if she be a ship in amity with her Majesty, you shall treat her well, and bring her to us. But if you find her to be an enemy, you shall make no spoil of the goods in her, but shall take the captain and master of her aboard you, and put into her some sufficient persons to bring- ↑ The St. George's flag.
- ↑ Main mizzen, apparently the third mast of a four-masted ship.
- ↑ I.e., with the Queen's arms.
- ↑ The Council of Five Officers, and the extra members, if any, appointed by the Generals. See Chap. xiv.
- ↑ Seventeenth-century instructions bade the disabled ship haul up her courses. "Spring a loose" seems to mean, "let fly."
- ↑ The MS. is too much damaged to admit of this instruction being intelligible.
