safe there,
should be thinking all sorts of dreadful things. I wonder any one
remained alive on the decks of the ships engaged in so fearful a
battle."

"A good many did lose the number of their mess, but fewer were killed
than might have been supposed, for round shot and bullets fortunately
have a happy knack of making their way between the heads of people
without hitting them.

"By this time our gallant frigate, which had lately been under a cloud
of canvas, swelling proudly to the breeze, made a deplorable appearance
with rope's ends and torn sails hanging down from every mast and yard.
The French ship, however, was in a still worse condition. The sails,
however, were of sufficient service to force the two ships through the
water, and the Frenchman took advantage of this, and hauled up, in a
short time getting out of gun-shot, we being unable, in consequence of
the loss of our gaff and topsails, to follow. Our captain, however, had
no intention, as you may suppose, of letting her escape. All hands set
to work to knot and splice our rigging, to refit braces and repair other
damages. While thus employed, we saw the Frenchman's foremast fall over
the side. Our crew, as you may suppose, raised a loud cheer at the
sight, and redoubled their efforts to be ready, should a breeze spring
up, for again getting within range of our opponent. Scarcely had the
hands reached the deck, when we saw a ripple playing over the ocean; the
sails were trimmed, and once more, with eager hearts, we steered towards
the French ship. We did not suppose that she would hold out long, but
after the pluck her captain had exhibited, we fully expected to be at it
again. In a few minutes the crew were at their quarters, ready to fire
a broadside, when down came the Frenchman's colours.

"`She has struck! she has struck!' resounded through the ship. We at
once hove to. The first lieutenant was sent on board to take
possession; I had the honour to accompany him. The sight I had
witnessed on board our own ship was bad enough, for we had upwards of
twenty men killed and wounded, the former still lying in their blood
where they fell; but on stepping on the Frenchman's deck, it seemed
literally covered with dead men, for the rest of the crew had been too
busy to throw any of them overboard, while the cockpit below was filled
with wounded, many of whom were too much hurt to recover.

"The French captain, who came to the gangway to present hi