The O'Hara fled, to avoid falling into the hands of the superior French
forces, and withdrew from the scene of action in an easterly direction,
pursued by the Forbin, which sent shot after shot after her. If the
captain of the Caledonia had abandoned all idea of flight, he was not
only following the dictates of humanity, but obeying the signals of the
destroyer, ordering him to bring to. He knew that there was no longer
any chance of escape for the steamer entrusted to his care, since the
shells of the Royal Arthur had ceased to threaten the enemy.

The struggles of the unhappy men, who had reached the surface from the
gloomy depths, and were now making desperate efforts to save themselves,
presented an affecting sight. Those who could not swim soon went under,
unless they succeeded in getting hold of some floating object. Every
second more of the numerous heads, which had been seen above the water
immediately after the sinking of the cruiser, disappeared, and there was
no doubt that the crews of the boats, though working heroically, would
only be able to save a small part of the crew.

Meanwhile the commander of the Chanzy's gig lay to at the gangway of the
Caledonia. The first officer, with four marines and a non-commissioned
officer, boarded the steamer and saluted the captain with naval
politeness.

"I greatly regret, sir, to be compelled to inconvenience you and your
passengers. But I am acting under orders, and must ask you to show me
your papers and to allow me to search the ship."

"It is yours to command, as things are," replied the Englishman
gloomily.

He then went down with the Frenchman into the cabin, while the
non-commissioned officer remained with the soldiers on the gangway. The
proceedings lasted nearly two hours, during which the work of rescuing
the crew of the Royal Arthur was continued unremittingly. A hundred and
twenty soldiers and sailors and five officers, besides the commander,
were saved. Most of the officers and crew were lost.

Unusual steps were taken to secure the prize. The captain, with the
first and second officers, was taken on board the Chanzy. The first
officer of the Chanzy took command of the ship, and two lieutenants
and fifty men were transferred to the Caledonia. These precautions were
sufficiently justified by the great value of the cargo. According to
the ship's papers, the Caledonia carried no less than 20,000,000 rupees,
some in specie, others in silver bars, consig