foreseeing he should have occasion for more
assistants than one obtained Morgan's liberty, while I was let in this
deplorable posture to the chance of battle. It was almost dark when we
came up with the sternmost chase, which we hailed, and inquired who they
were. They gave us to understand they were French men-of-war, upon which
Captain Oakum commanded them to send their boat on board of him! but
they refused, telling him, if he had any business with them, to come
on board of their ship: he then threatened to pour in a broadside upon
them, which they promised to retain. Both sides were as good as their
word, and the engagement began with great fury. The reader may guess how
I passed my time, lying in this helpless situation, amidst the terrors
of a sea-fight; expecting every moment to be cut asunder, or dashed in
pieces by the enemy's shot! I endeavoured to compose myself as much as
possible, by reflecting that I was not a whit more exposed than those
who were stationed about me; but, when I beheld them employed without
intermission in annoying the foe, and encouraged by the society and
behaviour of one another, I could easily perceive a wide difference
between their condition and mine: however, I concealed my agitation as
well as I could till the head of the officer of marines who stood near
me, being shot off, bounced from the deck athwart my face, leaving me
well nigh blinded with brains. I could contain myself no longer, but
began to bellow with all the strength of my lungs; when a drummer,
coming towards me asked if I was wounded, and, before I could answer,
received a great shot in his belly, which tore out his entrails, and
he fell flat on my breast. This accident entirely bereft me of all
discretion; I redoubled my cries, which were drowned in the noise of the
battle; and, finding myself disregarded, lost all patience, and became
frantic. I vented my rage in oaths and execrations, till my spirits,
being quite exhausted, I remained quiet, as insensible of the load that
oppressed me.

The engagement lasted till broad day, when Captain Oakum, finding he was
like to gain neither honour nor advantage by the affair, pretended to
be undeceived by seeing their colours; and, hailing the ship whom he
had fought all night, protested he believed them Spaniards; and the guns
being silenced on each side, ordered the barge to be hoisted out, and
went on board the French commodore. Our loss amounted to ten killed, and
eighteen