nch again
altered their course, and formed their line on the larboard tack.

"The admiral has hoisted the recall signal," cried Tom. Directly
afterwards we saw the signal made for our ships to form the line of
battle on the starboard tack. Rear-Admiral Drake's division was now
leading, the _Marlborough_ being ahead. The island of Dominique was on
our starboard hand, the wind coming off the land, and the French between
us and it. Thus they were to windward of us, standing almost directly
for Guadaloupe. We were now gradually nearing each other. Just at 8
a.m. the _Marlborough_, in gallant style, opened fire on the rear of the
French. At the same time Rodney made the signal for close action. Soon
after it was hoisted all the other ships and Rear-Admiral Drake's
division commenced firing their broadsides. For a time Admiral Hood's
division was almost becalmed, as were many of Sir George Rodney's ships,
but as they drew ahead they got the wind much stronger clear of the
land. After the action had continued for some time, the wind shifted,
enabling us to get to windward of the enemy.

"Look out there, Paddy, at the _Duke_. See, that gallant fellow Gardner
is endeavouring to force the Frenchman's line," cried Nettleship.

We watched for some minutes, when a shot carried away the _Duke's_
main-topmast, and she dropped to leeward, and Sir George Rodney,
followed by the _Namur_ and _Canada_, stood right in between the enemy's
ships, not far from the _Ville de Paris_, carrying their admiral's flag.
Others quickly followed, when Rodney wore and doubled upon the enemy,
all the time, it must be understood, keeping up a tremendous and
incessant fire. By this gallant manoeuvre the French line was
completely broken, and thrown into the utmost confusion. Their van bore
away, and endeavoured to form to leeward, but our division, under Sir
Samuel Hood, now getting the breeze, came up, and joined in the close
fight which had long been going on. To describe it so that my account
should be understood would be difficult in the extreme. All the time
the shot of the enemy came crashing aboard. Our object was to catch
sight of the hulls of the Frenchmen amid the clouds of smoke, and to
pound away at them. Each of our ships did the same. Amongst the ships
was the _Glorieux_, commanded by the Vicomte d'Escar. Though surrounded
by enemies, he continued to fire his broadsides until his masts and
bowsprit were shot away by the bo