124 SOLDIERS AND SAILORS cross-bows, and immense stones, hurled by powerful engines, were poured upon the English. The Black Prince, imitating the example of his father, had fixed on one of the largest ships of the enemy ; but, while steering toward her, the missiles she discharged pierced his own vessel in several places. The speedy capture of his enemy was now necessary ; for, as he came alongside, his barque was abso- lutely sinking. The sides of his opponent's vessel being much higher than his own rendered the attempt very hazardous ; and while, sword in hand, he at- tempted to force his way, bolts and arrows poured on his head from every quar- ter. The Earl of Lancaster, sweeping by to engage one of the enemy, saw the situation of the prince, and immediately dashed to the other side of the antago- nist, and after a fierce but short struggle, the Spanish ship remained in the hands of the prince ; and scarcely had he and his crew left their own vessel, before she filled and went down. Twenty-four of the enemy's ships had by this time been captured ; the rest were sunk, or in full flight ; and, night having fallen, King Edward measured back the short distance to the shore. Father and son, then mounting horse, rode to the Abbey of Winchelsea, where Queen Philippa had been left, and soon turned the suspense she had suffered, since darkness had hidden the battle from her sight, into joy and gratitude. The French king, .Philip, was now dead, and had been succeeded by his eld- est son John. Some proceedings, on the part of the new monarch, were regarded as a signal to break the truce which had subsisted for a short time between the English and the French. Various displays of hostilities followed, and many ne- gotiations were entered into without success. The Black Prince, being ap- pointed captain-general, sailed for Bordeaux in August, 1355, and arrived there after an easy passage. His first movements were always successful ; and, even when winter set in, the judicious manner in which he employed his troops enabled him to add five fortified towns and seventeen castles to the English possessions. Spring and summer passed by the prince still continuing active. At length, the French king collected an immense army, and marched to intercept him. Though well aware that John was endeavoring to cut off his retreat, the Black Prince was ignorant of the exact position of the French army, until, one day, a small foraging party fell in with a troop of three hundred horsemen, who, pursu- ing the little band across some bushes, suddenly found themselves under the ban- ner of the Black Prince. After a few blows they surrendered, and from them the prince learned that King John was a day's march in advance of him. A party, despatched to reconnoitre, brought back intelligence that an army of eight times his force lay between him and Poitiers. Though without fear, the prince felt all the difficulties of his situation ; yet his simple reply was " God be our help ! now let us think how we may fight them to the best advantage." A high ground, commanding the country toward Poitiers, defended by the hedges of a vineyard, and accessible from the city only by a hollow way scarcely wide enough to admit four men abreast, presented to him a most defensible posi- tion. Here he encamped, and early next morning, disposed his troops for battle.
