he
enemy's line, and in rather more than two hours six of their
ships were completely dismasted, and the L'Orient, of 120 guns,
blown up. The action was continued all night with the enemy's
rear by the Alexander and Majestic; and this evening the whole,
except three, have fallen into our hands, and a frigate, which
they dastardly set fire to, and escaped on shore.

The loss sustained has been considerable in some of the ships. I
have to regret the loss of poor Miells, and of Mr. Baird, my
clerk, and of several good men. I received a contusion in the
side, which, though at first painful, is doing as well as
possible, and does not even prevent my going on with the usual
duty of the ship. Poor Captain Westcott is killed, and several
other officers.

The enemy have now obtained the just chastisement of their past
crimes, and Sir Horatio Nelson has the happiness of being the
fortunate instrument of inflicting their just punishment; in
which happiness all his squadron partakes. Fourteen of the
Frenchmen, who had the good fortune to swim on board the Orion
from the L'Orient after she was on fire, report that their army
were all landed three weeks since, and are at present in
possession of Grand Cairo; and that they have frequent severe
skirmishes with the Turks.

Our worthy friend Mr. Le Cras will lament with me the loss of
Mr. Miells. A better young man I think never existed. He lived
until this evening, and was the whole time perfectly resigned to
his fate, saying, "he died in a good cause." Mr. Richardson is
also badly wounded, and my servant John Lewis, who you recollect
waited on us at Portsmouth; but I hope they will both recover.

I should observe that the Culloden, not having been able to get
to us before night, unfortunately ran aground; by which accident
we were deprived of the assistance of so fine a ship, and of the
exertions of Captain Troubridge.

CHAPTER XI.

1798.

Fleet repair damages.--Sir James receives orders to take a
detachment of six ships of the line, and five prizes, under his
command.--Sails for Gibraltar.--Journal of his tedious
voyage.--Arrives off Candia.--Decides to pass through a perilous
passage, and escapes the dangers.--Falls in with the Marquis of
Nisa, and summons the French garrison at Malta.--Puts into Port
Auguste, in Sicily.--Sails from thence.--Tedious