t like rats in a trap!' cried the men from all
parts of the ship. The entrance to the harbour is guarded by heavy
forts on either side, between which we had run some distance, and their
guns pointed down on our decks might sink us before we could get outside
again. The officers, on hearing the report, hurried aft, scarcely able
to believe that it was true. They found, however, on seeing the
Frenchmen, that there was no doubt about the matter. Just then a flaw
of wind came down the harbour, when our third lieutenant, Mr Webbley,
hurrying up to the captain, said, `I believe, sir, if we can get her
under sail, we shall be able to fetch out.' `We will try it at all
events!' cried the captain; `send the men to their stations, and hand
those French gentlemen below.' The mounseers, on finding that they were
not yet masters of the ship, began to bluster and draw their sabres, but
the marines quickly made them sound another note, and in spite of their
`_Sacres_!' they were hurried off the deck under a guard. The men flew
aloft, and in three minutes every sail was set, and the yards braced up
for casting. The frigate was by this time completely afloat, the cable
was cut; her head paid off, the sails filled, and away she stood from
the shore. The wind freshening, she quickly gathered way. The launch
and the French boat were cut adrift, and we had every hope of escape.
Directly we began to loose sails, we saw lights appear in the batteries,
and observed a stir aboard the brig. She soon afterwards opened fire on
us, as did the fort on the starboard bow, and in a short time every fort
which could bring a gun to bear on us, began to blaze away. We were
now, however, going rapidly through the water, but there was a chance of
our losing a topmast, as the shot came whistling through our sails,
between our rigging. The wind shifting, made it seem impossible that we
could get out without making a tack, but our captain was not a man to
despair, and I am pretty sure that there was no one on board who would
have given in, as long as the frigate was afloat. Fortunately the wind
again shifted and blew in our favour. Blocks and ropes came falling
from aloft, we could see the holes made in the canvas, by the shot
passing through them. Several of the masts and spars were badly
wounded, and two thirty-six pound shot came plump aboard, but no one was
hurt. As soon as the hands came from aloft, they were ordered to their
quarters, and