hat he did not put his vessel before the wind, but
waited with determination the coming up of the Arrow. Captain Levee
passed under the Frenchman's stern, raking him with a broadside that
almost unrigged him, and then engaged him to leeward, so as to cut off
all chance of his escape.

The Frenchman returned the fire with spirit, and I took my men from my
guns that we might set some sail upon the vessel, for after the Arrow
commenced her fire no further notice was taken of me by the Frenchman.
After a contest well maintained for half an hour, the mainmast of the
Frenchman went by the board, and this almost settled the question, as
he could not keep his vessel to the wind, and consequently she fell
off, and received a raking fire from the Arrow. At last her bowsprit
was between the main and fore rigging of the Arrow, and her decks
were swept by the Arrow's raking fire. I had got some sail up forward,
and was anxious to be at the close of the action. I perceived that the
Frenchman was attempting to board the lugger, and was pouring all his
people on the forecastle, and I therefore edged down to him that I
might, with my people, board him on the quarter, which would place
him, as we say, between two fires. The conflict was at its highest;
the French attempting and the Arrow's crew repelling them, when I laid
my schooner on her quarter, and leaped on board of her with my few
remaining men. The Frenchmen turned to repel my attack, and thus
weakened their party opposed to the Arrow's men; the consequence was,
that they were first beaten back, and then boarded by Captain Levee
and his crew.

As soon as I had gained the deck of the Frenchman, I thought of
nothing but to single out the French captain. At first I could not see
him, but as his crew retreated from Captain Levee and his men, I
perceived him, pale and exhausted, but still attempting to rally them.
As my object was to take him alive, I rushed in advance at him,
wrestled, and threw him on his back on the deck. There I held him,
while the combatants fighting and retreating, tumbled over us one
after another, and bruised us severely with their weight. At last the
French were beaten below, and I had time to breathe; calling to two of
my men, I desired them to take charge of the French captain, and as
they valued their lives, not to let him escape, or destroy himself,
but to take him into our vessel and guard him carefully in my cabin.
Having done this, I went to Captain