"Cowardly dogs," the young captain said, "they do not mean to fight
until the whole of their consorts come up. However, we ought not to
grumble, as every hour takes us so much nearer port."

He then ordered the men to lie down by the guns and get what sleep they
could until the enemy opened fire. Jack and Graham, finding that there
was nothing to be done, threw themselves into their hammocks, and slept
till five o'clock in the morning. They were then aroused, and went on
deck. The six French ships had now all come up, and were coming on in a
body.

"Good morning, gentlemen," the young captain said gayly. "We have a fine
morning for our amusement. I wish the wind would freshen a little more
so as to take this lubberly old ship faster through the water."

At six o'clock the leading vessel of the French squadron opened fire,
and at the signal her consorts all followed her example. Some of them
were now almost abreast of the Resolution, and the iron shower tore
through her sails and cut her rigging. She answered with a broadside
from both sides, and the battle commenced in earnest.

In all the annals of British seamanship there is no more heroic story
than that of the fight between the Resolution and the six French men of
war. From six in the morning until half past three in the afternoon she
maintained the unequal contest, still keeping on under full sail toward
her port, only yawing occasionally to pour a broadside into one or other
of her foes. They were now running along the coast, and the peasants on
the distant hills must have watched with astonishment the unequal fight
as the vessels pressed on past them. By half past three the Resolution
was little more than a wreck. Her sails were riddled with holes, many
of her spars shot away, her sides ragged and torn, and many of her
crew killed, but the remainder of the crew still fought their guns
unflinchingly.

"We can do no more," Captain Mordaunt said to Jack. "The carpenter has
just reported that the mainmast is so seriously injured that at any
moment it may go over the side. It is impossible to hope any longer to
reach Leghorn, but my ship I am determined they shall not have."

So saying, he gave orders to the first lieutenant, and the vessel's head
was suddenly turned straight toward the shore. The French, astonished at
so desperate a course, did not venture to follow her, and the Resolution
threaded her way through the dangerous reefs till at last she brought