we drifted in shore
and increased our distance without his being aware of it, and his firing
still continued, but without injury to us. The reason for Captain
Delmar's doing this was evident; he wished the French ship to continue
firing, as the report of her guns might be heard and bring down some
vessel to our assistance. At all events, such was not our good fortune
on the first day, and I began to be tired of our situation; so did
Captain Delmar; for on the second day he sent a boat to the recaptured
vessels, which were at anchor inshore of us, directing them to heave up
as soon as it was dark, and make the best of their way to Barbadoes,
keeping well in shore till they got more to the northward; this they
did, and the following morning they were not in sight.

The French ship still remained at anchor, and it appeared that she had
been lightening so as to get further in; for on that morning she
weighed, and stood in to a mile and a half of us, and we were obliged to
do the same, and run inshore out of his reach. To effect this we
anchored in three and a quarter fathoms, so that we actually stirred up
the mud. Towards the evening the wind fortunately shifted to off shore,
and as soon as it was dark the captain ordered the anchor to be weighed,
and we made all sail to the northward, trusting to our heels; the
following morning we had run seventy miles, and as the French ship was
not to be seen, it was to be presumed that she was not aware of our
having so done.

Ten days afterwards we dropped our anchor in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes.
We found two men-of-war, both captains junior officers to our own, and I
took this opportunity of passing my examination, which was a mere matter
of form. Having watered and taken in provisions, we then sailed for
Jamaica, to join the admiral, who, upon Captain Delmar's representation,
immediately confirmed the acting order of lieutenant given to me by him.

A few days afterwards a packet arrived from England, and letters were
received by Captain Delmar, informing him of the death of his elder
brother and his succeeding to the title of Lord de Versely; for his
elder brother, although married, had no male issue. Upon this
intelligence, Captain Delmar immediately resigned the command of the
Manilla, and another Captain was appointed to her. I did not much like
this, as I wished to remain with Captain Delmar, and gain his good-will.
I was, however, consoled by his sending for me, previo