Oldershaw was appointed First-Lieutenant of the brig,
and I received an order as her Second-Lieutenant. Soon after this, we
were ordered to proceed, with three ships of the line and two frigates,
in search of a French squadron, which had been committing depredations
on the African coast, and had just been heard of in the neighbourhood of
the West Indies. We were delayed by a hurricane which raged over those
seas. Fortunately we were in harbour, but some of the ships which were
outside suffered greatly. However, as Toby Kiddle observed, "What is
sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander," and we could only hope
that the enemy had suffered in the same way. At length, after cruising
for some time, we, being ahead, discovered a frigate, which, from the
cut of her sails, we had little doubt was French. Signalling to our
consorts, we gave chase, keeping considerably ahead of all the rest. In
about two hours we had got within two miles of the chase, and as we
approached still nearer we commenced firing our bow guns. The French
frigate, hoisting her colours, returned our fire with her stern chasers.
We now shortened sail.

"If we get much nearer," said Captain Schank, "she may send us to the
bottom with one of her broadsides; but at this distance we may cripple
her and prevent her escaping." The nearest English frigate was by this
time about three miles astern of us. Already the Frenchman had cut up
our rigging a good deal, and at length one of her shots struck our bow
between wind and water. It was quickly plugged, and we continued at
some distance firing away, our shot every now and then striking the
enemy, but what damage we had done we could not ascertain. The leading
frigate was a very fast one, and was now rapidly coming up. We, I
confess, were anxiously looking out for her, for, although prudence
might have forbade us getting nearer the enemy, our eagerness to stop
her would have made us run every risk to effect that object. At length
the English frigate got within gun-shot of the enemy. She opened fire
with her bow chasers. Down came the Frenchman's flag, when once more we
made sail and hove to close to the prize. Captain Schank ordered me to
proceed on board and take possession. I felt, I must confess, almost as
surprised as a mouse would do at conquering a lion. The French captain,
however, with becoming politeness though with somewhat a wry face,
presented me with his sword, and we found ourselves