Captured during a tempestuous sea battle with the Spanish navy, Michael Ingolby is allowed to escape by the Spanish commander, who happens to be an old friend of his father. He only makes it as far as the Spanish coast but survives when a sympathetic family takes him in and nurses him back to... [More]

Captured during a tempestuous sea battle with the Spanish navy, Michael Ingolby is allowed to escape by the Spanish commander, who happens to be an old friend of his father. He only makes it as far as the Spanish coast but survives when a sympathetic family takes him in and nurses him back to health. While recuperating, Michael learns that his father has been executed by the Spaniards. Devastated, he flees home to England in a rickety fishing boat and reports the news to Queen Elizabeth, urging her to attack Spain. Queen Elizabeth is impressed by the young man's patriotism and sends Michael back to Spain with orders to enter King Philip's court as a spy. Once here, he uncovers a plot to assassinate Elizabeth, but is eventually recognized by the Spaniards and imprisoned. Once again, with help from his captors, Michael escapes -- making it back to England just in time to warn the Queen and participate in an attack on the mighty Armada. [Less]