Sabina frigate. At sunset, the two
last ships of our line doubled the Cape Carnero. Three only
remained, with the Hannibal, which was under jury-masts, and
which consequently could not carry much sail.

Night was coming on, and it was necessary to return to our
anchorage, which afforded the enemy an opportunity of attacking
us before we took a position. At all events every delay was
dangerous, for the reinforcements which the enemy expected might
arrive every moment. The breeze from the east becoming stronger,
we were assured of the wind during the night. We determined to
send the Hannibal back to Algeziras, and to pass the Strait with
the combined squadron. We then manoeuvred so as to facilitate
the rallying of two of our vessels, which had fallen into the
rear in consequence of the calm. The three French vessels, which
sailed better than could have been expected, were in the van;
and in that order it was proposed to pass the Strait.

At eight, the enemy showed a disposition to attack us. At nine
we heard the reports of three cannon, and at the same time we
saw fires at a considerable distance behind us. We presumed it
might be some of the enemy's vessels making signals of their
arrival. We congratulated ourselves upon seeing our squadrons so
well collected together, and sailing so well, which made us
confident that the plan of the enemy would not succeed.

At half-past eleven the wind was considerably increased. The
night was very dark, and we heard a smart cannonade in the
E.N.E.; and, soon after, we saw a conflagration, which made us
apprehend that some of our vessels, in firing their stern guns,
had taken fire, in consequence of the force of the wind. We
thought also that they might be fire-ships of the enemy. We put
about for a moment; but the vessel on fire approaching us, we
continued our way, having constantly a light at our
main-top-mast head, as a signal for rallying.

It could no longer be doubted that the enemy had passed the
Strait, and had got into our wake. The cannonade became pretty
general, but the wind was too strong to continue the action. We
received several shots on board the frigate, which killed one
man and wounded five. Several balls passed through our sails. We
took down the signal we had at our mast-head, for fear the enemy
would fall upon us. It was afterwards hoisted, in o