ead, and hove to for the enemy.

The French schooner was the first which ranged up alongside; the wind
was light, and she came slowly down to us. The captain of her hailed,
saying that his vessel was the Esperance, and our captain replied that
he knew it, and that they also knew that his was the Revenge. The
French captain, who had hove to, replied very courteously that he was
well aware what vessel it was, and also of the valour and
distinguished reputation of Captain Weatherall, upon which, Captain
Weatherall, who stood on the gunnel, took off his hat in
acknowledgment of the compliment.

Now Captain Weatherall was well known, and it was also well known that
the two vessels would meet with a severe resistance, which it would be
as well to avoid, as even if they gained the victory, it would not be
without great loss of men. The French captain therefore addressed
Captain Weatherall again, and said he hoped, now that he was opposed
to so very superior a force, he would not make a useless resistance,
but as it would be no disgrace to him, and would save the lives of
many of his brave men, his well known humanity would induce him to
strike his colours.

To this request our commander gave a gallant and positive refusal. The
vessels lay now close to each other, so that a biscuit might have been
thrown on board of either. A generous expostulation ensued, which
continued till the Spanish vessel was a short distance astern of us.

"You now see our force," said the French captain. "Do not fight
against impossible odds, but spare your brave and devoted men."

"In return for your kind feeling towards me," replied Captain
Weatherall, "I offer you both quarter, and respect to private
property, upon hauling down your colours."

"You are mad, Captain Weatherall," said the French captain.

"You allow that I have lived bravely," replied Captain Weatherall;
"you shall find that I will conquer you, and if necessary I will also
die bravely. We will now fight. In courtesy, I offer you the first
broadside."

"Impossible," said the French captain, taking off his hat.

Our captain returned the salute, and then slipping down from the
gunwale, ordered the sails to be filled, and, after a minute to give
the Frenchman time to prepare, he fired off in the air the fusee,
which he held in his hand, as a signal for the action to begin. We
instantly commenced the work of death by pouring in a broadside. It
was returned with equal spirit, and