getting off by out sailing them.

In this situation, finding ourselves in only twenty-four fathoms
water, by the suggestion of that valuable officer, Lieutenant
Morris, I determined to try and warp the ship ahead, by carrying
out anchors and warping her up to them; three or four hundred
fathoms of rope was instantly got up, and two anchors got ready and
sent ahead, by which means we began to gain ahead of the enemy;
they, however, soon saw our boats carrying out the anchors, and
adopted the same plan, under very advantageous circumstances, as
all the boats from the ships furthermost off were sent to tow and
warp up those nearest to us, by which means they again came up, so
that at nine, the ship nearest us began to fire her bow guns, which
we instantly returned by our stern guns in the cabin and on the
quarter deck. All the shot from the enemy fell short; but we have
reason to believe that some of ours went on board her, as we could
not see them strike the water. Soon after nine, a second frigate
passed under our lee, and opened her broadside, but finding her
shot fall short, discontinued her fire; but continued, as did all
the rest of them, to make all possible exertion to get up with us.
From nine to twelve, all hands were employed in warping the ship
ahead, and in starting some of the water in the main hold to
lighten her, which, with the help of a light air, we rather gained
of the enemy, or, at least, held our own. About two, in the
afternoon, all the boats from the line of battle ship and some of
the frigates were sent to the frigate nearest us, to endeavor to
tow her up, but a light breeze sprung up, which enabled us to hold
way with her, notwithstanding they had eight or ten boats ahead,
and all her sails furled to tow her to windward. The wind continued
light until eleven at night, and the boats were kept ahead towing
and warping to keep out of reach of the enemy, three of the
frigates being very near us; at eleven, we got a light breeze from
the southward, the boats came along side and were hoisted up, the
ship having too much way to keep them ahead, the enemy still in
chase and very near.

On the 19th, at daylight, passed within gunshot of one of the
frigates, but she did not fire on us, perhaps, for fear of
becalming her, as th