About ten o'clock
The other vessels had not come within speaking distance of us , and it seemed that all hope of bringing the enemy to a decisive engagement must be abandoned . The dawn of the fourth morning found the Frenchmen six miles ahead , and one less in number , for the great Dutch ship had separated from the squadron and was out of sight . The Defiance and Windsor , ever the most dilatory of our vessels , were at this time four miles astern . About ten o'clock , the wind then blowing east nor ' - east , but very variable , the enemy tacked , and the admiral fetched within range of two of them , giving them his broadside and receiving from them many shrewd knocks . Then , tacking also , he pursued them with what speed he might , and about noon contrived to cut off from their line a small English ship , the Ann galley , which they had taken off Lisbon . This small success cheered our drooping spirits a little ; but a complete victory seemed further off than ever , for the Ruby proved to be so disabled that the admiral ordered her to return to Port Royal , so that we had five ships against the enemy 's nine . During the day our vessels drew somewhat closer to us , the Falmouth being the foremost , and we gained some four miles upon the enemy by sunset .