,
which should far eclipse the glory of her first. A new captain was to
win the laurels this time; for Capt. Champlin's wound had forced him
to retire, and his place was filled by Capt. Samuel C. Reid. On the
26th of September, 1814, the privateer was lying at anchor in the
roadstead of Fayal. Over the land that enclosed the snug harbor on
three sides, waved the flag of Portugal, a neutral power, but
unfortunately one of insufficient strength to enforce the rights of
neutrality. While the "Armstrong" was thus lying in the port, a
British squadron, composed of the "Plantagenet" seventy-four, the
"Rota" thirty-eight, and "Carnation" eighteen, hove in sight, and
soon swung into the harbor and dropped anchor. Reid watched the
movements of the enemy with eager vigilance. He knew well that the
protection of Portugal would not aid him in the least should the
captain of that seventy-four choose to open fire upon the "Armstrong."
The action of the British in coming into the harbor was in itself
suspicious, and the American had little doubt that the safety of his
vessel was in jeopardy. While he was pacing the deck, and weighing in
his mind the probability of an assault by the British, he caught sight
of some unusual stir aboard the hostile ships. It was night; but the
moon had risen, and by its pale light Reid saw four large barges let
fall from the enemy's ships, and, manned by about forty men each, make
toward his vessel. In an instant every man on the privateer was called
to his post. That there was to be an attack, was now certain; and the
Americans determined not to give up their vessel without at least a
vigorous attempt to defend her. Reid's first act was to warp his craft
under the guns of a rather dilapidated castle, which was supposed to
uphold the authority of Portugal over the island and adjacent waters.
Hardly had the position been gained, when the foremost of the British
boats came within hail, and Capt. Reid shouted, "Boat ahoy! What
boat's that?" No response followed the hail; and it was repeated, with
the warning, "Answer, or I shall fire into you." Still the British
advanced without responding; and Reid, firmly convinced that they
purposed to carry his ship with a sudden dash, ordered his gunners to
open on the boats with grape. This was done, and at the first volley
the British turned and made off. Capt. Reid then warped his vessel
still nearer shore; and bending springs on her cable, so that her
broadside mig