A Cessation of Arms for some days between the two Fleets.
IN the mean while the King being in the Batteries of the Chef de Bay, which he had but raised two days before, caused his Cannons to be discharged by his parti∣cular Order, without the least fear of the danger whereunto he did expose himself, in regard of the many Bullets which fell at his feet, and came very near him, he took a great delight to see his Guns do that execution which he intended, the Ele∣ments fight for him, and the English betray their fear of his presence, good for∣tune, and courage. And was it not much more glorious for him, to give order for the standing of this assault, and to be himself present in it by offering his life to God, then to have been in his Chamber at Paris, where those of Marillac's fa∣ction would have staied him? Was it not a greater pleasure to him, to behold the Sea all on fire, bringing flaming Vessels to his feet, as if they did him homage, and to command in his own person amidst the Batteries, then to have been idle in the Louvre? In my sense he had been as much too blame to have been at Paris whiles these affairs were acting, as it was now glorious to see him here reducing Heresie to his obedience. And this was as much as was done the first day.
The next morning the wind being still fair for the English, they set their Sails, began to shoot but durst not come nearer the Kings Fleet, then before; they were answered in the same language, and for four hours together, the Ayr seemed to be all on fire. The little more which they did worth observation was this, they sent 9 Fire-ships, seconding them with Ships filled with Stones and full of dung; to which they had set fire with intent that the smoke of it driven by the Wind to the Kings Fleet might cover them, and give the English means to passe the Channel. But his Majesties small Boats went to the Fire-ships at the mercy of the great shot, seized on them, and diverted their execution, onely losing one man, without any greater hurt, and the Vessels which followed them durst not advance; which the English Fleet seeing, and how much the Forts did trouble them, they drew off to the Road not without great disoder, leaving the Rochelois to despair. Neither was this the onely mis-fortune that befell them; for at that very instant so great a storm arose, that they were forced to let themselves be carried at the mercy of the wind. The English finding how unlikely they were to do any good, proposed un∣der hand that some accommodation might be made; they thought it would bee more advantagious to retreat after the making of a Peace, then to run the hazards of a worse successe. Monsieur the Cardinal desired his Majesty to observe that his onely aim being the taking of Rochel, this accommodation would much contribute to it; for then the Rochelois would remain without any succour at all, which in∣duced him to give ear to those Proposals which should be made. But their souls being yet exasperated, the Peace could not so suddenly be resolved on, and all the conferences which were had to that purpose, ended in a Cessation of Arms for some few dayes.