these fleets, he kept watch before Cadiz; but months having passed without their appearing, and his ships being in a most unsatisfactory condition, he was at length under the necessity of going home to refit and repair his shattered vessels. On reaching England he was in such health as to be almost unfit for further exertions; but finding that his services could not be dispensed with, he hoisted his flag on board the

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Naseby," and soon appeared once more in the Bay of Cadiz. In spite of wind and weather, he remained before Cadiz expecting the silver fleets, and even announced his intention of keeping his station during the winter months. The Spaniards ridiculed the idea, and described Blake as a madman. But winter passed, and spring came, and still the English Admiral was before Cadiz.

It happened that in the spring of 1657, Blake took a cruise to the coast of Africa, leaving Captain Richard Stayner in command of a squadron to keep watch before Cadiz. During Blake's absence, the fleet laden with silver from Mexico made its appearance; and Stayner, having after a brief struggle captured the ships, sent the bullion home to Portsmouth. Scarcely, however, had Blake returned to the station, when he received intelligence that the fleet from Peru, consisting of six royal galleons, and sixteen other vessels, richly laden, had, on learning the fate of its predecessor, put into the Canary Islands, and run for security into the harbour of Santa Cruz. On learning this, Blake set sail with his whole force, and on Monday, the 20th of April, his red cross became visible from the Spanish galleons. At daybreak, an English frigate, sent forward to look out, returned

with intelligence that the silver fleet lay at anchor without the harbour, "barricaded in the bay in a semicircular manner.'

The Spaniards, it seeemed, were neither frightened nor unprepared. In fact, the harbour of Santa Cruz was strongly defended. At one end stood a castle fortified with ordnance. Round the Bay were seven forts, each having six, four, or three guns. Earthworks formed a chain of communication from fort to fort, and afforded shelter to musketeers. Moreover, Don Diego Diagues, the Spanish Admiral, caused all the smaller vessels to be moored close to the shore, and placed the six galleons, well manned, further out, with their broadsides facing sea-wards; and, thus prepared, he awaited the approach of the foe with courage and confidence.

But there was one person, at least, at Santa Cruz, who did not share the feeling of security experienced by Don Diego. A merchantman belonging to Holland at that time happened to be in the harbour, and the skipper, who retained a vivid remembrance of Blake's victories over Van Tromp, no sooner became aware that the terrible sea captain was approaching, than he became eager to be gone.

"What do you fear?" asked Don Diego, with a smile, as the skipper presented himself. "See you not that, with our castle, our forts, and our galleons, our position is impregnable."

"Nevertheless," said the skipper, speaking bad Spanish with a Dutch accent, and shaking his head, "I feel sure that Blake will soon be among you."

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Well," said Don Diego, proudly, "go if you will, and let Blake come if he dare."

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They little know Blake who trust to his not daring," muttered the skipper, as he hastened to his vessel, hauled up anchor, hoisted sails, and left Santa Cruz without a moment's delay.

Meanwhile Blake was by no means daunted by the menacing aspect of Santa Cruz. Without hesitation he prepared to attack. Having caused all his men to kneel down and supplicate the aid of God, he arranged his ships in two divisions. One he entrusted to Captain Stayner to force an entrance into the bay; of the other he himself retained the command to storm the castle and the forts.

At eight o'clock, Stayner, with the wind in his favour, led his squadron forward, and commenced a destructive conflict with the Spaniards; and Blake, having silenced the guns of the castle, pushed on to Stayner's aid. The conflict was terrific. By two o'clock, however, the English were victors; and Blake, seeing that he could not bring off the galleons, consigned them to the flames. The fire rapidly did its work; and soon not a spar nor sail was to be seen above water. When the destruction of the silver fleet was accomplished, the wind, which had been blowing into the bay, suddenly veered round; and Blake, availing himself of the change, got the English ships out to sea without loss.

When intelligence of the marvellous feat performed by Blake at Santa Cruz reached London, the popular enthusiasm knew no bounds. Bells were rung, bonfires were lighted, and ballads sung in honour of the victory. Parliament, participating in the excitement, voted thanks to the fleet, granted five hundred pounds to buy a jewel for Blake, and set apart a day for re

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turning thanks to God for so signal a triumph over England's enemies.

After his exploit at Santa Cruz, Blake cruised about for some time, and succeeded in compelling the rovers of Salee to restore their Christian captives to liberty. But his career was rapidly approaching its close. Finding his constitution utterly broken, he resolved to return to England; and in the month of August, 1657, approached the shores which he had so often defended. But he was not destined again to set foot on English ground. On entering Plymouth Sound he breathed his last.

The body of England's great naval hero was embalmed, conveyed by sea to Greenwich, and after lying in state, carried to Westminster for interment. No ceremony was omitted that could render the obsequies worthy of the occasion. Admirals and vice-admirals, the Protector and his privy councillors, the mayor and aldermen of London, went in procession to the Abbey; and in Henry the Seventh's chapel, among the Tudor sovereigns, Blake's remains were laid, with all the honours due to an Englishman, whose patriotism had been pure, and whose exploits had added so immensely to the glory of his country.

PRINCE RUPERT.

ONE day, early in the year 1620, Prague was the scene of consternation and dismay. On the White Hill outside the city, Austrian troops were victorious over the forces of Frederick, the Elector Palatine, who, a few months earlier, had somewhat rashly accepted the Crown of Bohemia. Frederick, and his spouse Elizabeth, daughter of James, King of England, despairing of saving their capital, determined to save themselves; and while the fair Queen of Bohemia, long after celebrated as the "Queen of Hearts," rode off on a pillion behind Ensign Hopton, the King and the officers of his household made all haste to escape from danger.

Prince Rupert, third son of the King and Queen of Bohemia, who had drawn his first breath at Prague on the 18th of December, 1619, and was now an infant, experienced great danger on this occasion. When the confusion was at its height, he was asleep in his nurse's arms, and the woman, anxious for her own safety, laid him on the floor, ran to see what was doing, and perhaps in her terror forgot his existence. At all events, there was a considerable probability of his lying there till the Austrian troops came to take possession of the palace, in which case he would most likely have perished. But Providence had otherwise ordered.