, which tacked
as soon as she perceived them, and stood off without answering the
private signal. The _Revolutionaire_ and _Argo_ were ordered by signal
to proceed to port with the prize, and the others to make all sail in
chase, the wind being off the land. Towards evening the _Concorde_ and
_Amazon_ had been run out of sight, but the _Indefatigable_ gained upon
the chase, which made the most strenuous efforts to escape, and was
manoeuvred with no common ability. She was the 40-gun frigate
_Virginie_, one of the finest and fastest vessels in the French marine,
and commanded by Captain Jaques Bergeret, a young-officer of the highest
character and promise. The _Virginie_ was one of the fleet of Villaret
Joyeuse, when, ten months before, Cornwallis, with five sail of the line
and two frigates, effected his justly celebrated retreat from thirty
French men-of-war, of which twelve were of the line. On this occasion,
Bergeret attacked the _Mars_, with a spirit and judgment which gave full
earnest of his future conduct.

Finding that the British frigate outsailed her on a wind, the _Virginie_
bore away; but the _Indefatigable_ continued to gain on her, and at a
little before midnight came up within gun-shot, and took in royals and
studding-sails, having run one hundred and sixty-eight miles in fifteen
hours. The _Virginie_ fired her stern-chasers, occasionally yawing to
bring some of her broadside guns to bear, but without material effect;
and the two ships, still running under a press of canvass, came to
action. The _Indefatigable_ had only one broadside-gun more than her
opponent; but her size and very heavy metal gave her an irresistible
superiority. Seven of the _Virginie's_ people were killed at one of the
quarter-deck guns, which struck such a panic in those around them, that
it was with difficulty they could be induced to return to their
quarters. Yet Bergeret fought his ship with admirable skill and
gallantry, and maintained a very protracted action, constantly
endeavouring to cripple the _Indefatigable's_ rigging. Sir Edward had a
very narrow escape. The main-top-mast was shot away, and falling
forward, it disabled the main yard, and came down on the
splinter-netting directly over his head. Happily, the netting was strong
enough to bear the wreck.

It was an hour and three-quarters from the commencement of the action,
when, the _Virginie's_ mizen-mast and main-top-mast being shot away, the
_Indefatigable_ unavoidabl