Their destination was the Kowenstyn Dyke.

Some of the vessels were laden with provisions, others with gabions, hurdles, branches, sacks of sand and of wool, and with other materials for the rapid throwing up of fortifications.
It was two o'clock, half an hour before the chill dawn of a May morning, Sunday, the 26th of the month.

The pale sight of a waning moon was faintly perceptible in the sky.

Suddenly the sentinels upon the Kowenstyn--this time not asleep--descried, as they looked towards Lillo, four fiery apparitions gliding towards them across the waves.

The alarm was given, and soon afterwards the Spaniards began to muster, somewhat reluctantly, upon the dyke, filled as they always were with the mysterious dread which those demon-vessels never failed to inspire.
The fire-ships floated slowly nearer, and at last struck heavily against the stockade-work.