n, she gradually nearing us so as to
make her heavy artillery more effective. This portion of the contest
continued for an hour, during which my little schooner had received
much injury, and we were constantly repairing damages. At last, much
to my delight, the day began to dawn, and I then discovered the Arrow
about a mile and a half from us, right astern, under a press of sail.

I pointed her out to my officers and men, who were inspired with fresh
courage at the sight. The enemy also perceived her, and appeared
determined to bring the combat to an issue previous to her coming up,
and I feared that, at all events, I might swing at the yard-arm, let
the issue of the coming combat be what it might. She neared, steering
a course so as to cut me off, and I continued to pour in my broadsides
to cripple her if possible, as she did not now fire, but ran steadily
for me, and my chances were bad.

Anxious that the Arrow should close as soon as possible, I hauled
down my square mainsail, that we might not run from her, and prepared
for an obstinate resistance if boarded. At last the Frenchman was
within a cable's length, and at this critical moment the Arrow was
about a mile to windward. We poured in our last broadside, and
hastened to seize our pikes and cutlasses to repel the boarders, when
to my satisfaction I found that one of our shot had cut his gaff in
two. I immediately rounded to the wind; and as my antagonist was
within pistol-shot of me, with her men all ready for the leap on
board, I put my helm down, went round in stays, and crossed her so
near to windward that you might have thrown a biscuit on board.

This manoeuvre prevented his boarding, and I may say saved my life,
for his gaff being shot away, he could not heave in stays to follow
me, but was obliged to wear round after me, which increased his
distance at least a cable's length to leeward. A furious broadside,
however, which he poured in, crippled me altogether. Every thing came
running down upon the decks, and I was left a complete wreck; but I
was to windward of him, and although he might sink me, he could not
board or take possession until he had refitted his after-sail.

But now his time was come. A fresh antagonist, with equal weight of
metal, was close to him, and he had to decide whether he would fight
or run. Whether he conceived that running was useless, which it
certainly was, or was determined to take us both or die, I know not,
certain it is t