ht, and we did not gain the mouth of the river till
near sun-down, when the pilot left us; and as soon as we were three
miles in the offing, I hauled down the flag of truce in the sight of
the French privateer, who was following us close, and was not more
than four miles from us. To avoid mistake, I had agreed with Captain
Levee that should I be coming out after dark, I would carry a light at
the peak, and this light I now hoisted. It enabled the French
privateer to follow me, and appeared only as a mark of contempt
towards him. I stood on in the direction where I was to find Captain
Levee, and could make out the Frenchman following me, and gradually
nearing me. As it became dark I made more sail to keep him further off
till I had joined the Arrow, but the light at my peak pointed out to
him where I was. All this seemed a mystery to my officers and men,
until having run out about four leagues, I desired them to keep a
sharp look-out for the Arrow.

About half-past eight o'clock we perceived her lying-to; she had
furled her sails after dark, as usual. The light I bore told her who I
was, and I ran close to her, and, hailing Captain Levee, desired him
to prepare for action, and that I would come on board to speak to him.
This, of course, created a great bustle on board of the Arrow, and I
hastened on board that they might not show any lights. I then informed
Captain Levee of all that had passed, and that the Frenchman was not
more than five miles from us. We agreed that I should still keep up
the light, and bear away a little to draw the Frenchman to leeward of
the port, and also to leeward of the Arrow;--that the Arrow should
lower her sails again, so as not to be perceived until I had drawn the
Frenchman past him, and that then I should commence the action under
sail, and fight till the Arrow came up to my assistance. This being
arranged, I hastened on board of my schooner, and keeping away four
points, I waited for the coming up of my antagonist. In half an hour
we could perceive him through the gloom, not more than a mile from us,
under all sail, standing steadily for the light which we carried at
our peak.

As I had already discovered that my little schooner sailed faster than
my opponent, I allowed her to come up within a quarter of a mile of
me, when I rounded to; and desiring my men to aim at his rigging, so
as to dismantle him, poured in my broadside of grape and langridge,
and then shifted my helm and resumed