y went a-head. In addition to her former
damage, she had lost her foreyard and gaff, and her rigging was so much
cut that she was unable immediately to shorten sail. The _Virginie_ was
completely riddled. Some of the _Indefatigable's_ shot had even gone
through the sail-room and out at the opposite side of the ship. She had
four feet water in her hold, and more than forty of her crew were killed
and wounded. Yet she attempted to rake her opponent as she was shooting
a-head, and had nearly succeeded in doing so.

While the _Indefatigable_ was reeving fresh braces, the other frigates
came up, having been enabled to make a shorter distance by the altered
course of the combatants during the chase. On their approach, the
_Virginie_ fired a lee-gun, and hauled down her light; and being hailed
by the _Concorde_, replied, "We must surrender, there are so many of
you: we strike to the frigate a-head." A more brave and skilful
resistance is scarcely afforded by the annals of the war; and the
officer who thus defends his ship against a very superior force may
challenge more honour than would be claimed by the victor.

A boat was sent from the _Indefatigable_ for the gallant prisoner, who
was deeply affected at his misfortune, and wept bitterly. He inquired to
whom he had struck; and being told Sir Edward Pellew, "Oh!" he
exclaimed, "that is the most fortunate man that ever lived! He takes
everything, and now he has taken the finest frigate in France."

Bergeret was for some time the honoured guest of Sir Edward and his
family, and the British Government considered him an officer of
sufficient character to be offered in exchange for Sir Sidney Smith, who
had been made prisoner at Havre just before. They sent him to France on
his parole, to effect this object; but his application not being
successful, he returned to England. Two years after, Sir Sidney Smith
escaped, and the British Government, with a feeling most honourable to
themselves, set Bergeret unconditionally at liberty. Thus do the brave
and good, in challenging the respect of their enemies, contribute to
soften the rigours of war, and to create a better feeling between
hostile nations.

FOOTNOTES:

[5] A trifling incident occurred in this journey, which may, perhaps,
deserve to be mentioned. In going down a hill, two or three miles beyond
Axminster, both leaders fell, and the night being very cold, for the
wind had set in strong from the eastward, a ring, on which he