There was no disputing a precedency which he had risen from his death-bed to vindicate.  There was, however, a short discussion, as the enemy’s fleet approached, between these rival captains regarding the manner in which the Spaniards should be received.  Klaafzoon was of opinion that most of the men should go below till after the enemy’s first discharge.  Schot insisted that all should remain on deck, ready to grapple with the Spanish fleet, and to board them without the least delay.

The sentiment of Schot prevailed, and all hands stood on deck, ready with boarding-pikes and grappling-irons.

The first division of Romero came nearer, and delivered its first broadside, when Schot and Klaafzoon both fell mortally wounded.  Admiral Boisot lost an eye, and many officers and sailors in the other vessels were killed or wounded.  This was, however, the first and last of the cannonading.  As many of Romero’s vessels as could be grappled within the narrow estuary found themselves locked in close embrace with their enemies.  A murderous hand-to-hand conflict succeeded.  Battle-axe, boarding-pike, pistol, and dagger were the weapons.  Every man who yielded himself a prisoner was instantly stabbed and tossed into the sea by the remorseless Zealanders.  Fighting only to kill, and not to plunder, they did not even stop to take the gold chains which many Spaniards wore on their necks.  It had, however, been obvious from the beginning that the Spanish fleet were not likely to achieve that triumph over the patriots which was necessary before they could relieve Middelburg.  The battle continued a little longer; but after fifteen ships had been taken and twelve hundred royalists slain, the remainder of the enemy’s fleet retreated into Bergen.  Romero himself, whose ship had grounded, sprang out of a port-hole and swam ashore, followed by such of his men as were able to imitate him.  He landed at the very feet of the Grand Commander, who, wet and cold, had been standing all day upon the dyke of Schakerloo, in the midst of a pouring rain, only to witness the total defeat of his armada at last.

“I told your Excellency,” said Romero, coolly, as he climbed, all dripping, on the bank, “that I was a land-fighter and not a sailor.  If you were to give me the command of a hundred fleets, I believe that none of them would fare better than this has done.”  The Governor and his discomfited, but philosophical lieutenant, then returned to Bergen, and thence to Brussels, acknowledging that the city of Middelburg must fall, while Sancho d’Avila, hearing of the disaster which had befallen his countrymen, brought his fleet, with the greatest expedition, back to Antwerp.  Thus the gallant Mondragon was abandoned to his fate.