his gaff being shot away he could not heave in stays to follow me, but
was obliged to wear round after me, which increased his distance at
least a cable's length to leeward. A furious broadside, however, which
he poured in, crippled me altogether. Everything came running down upon
the decks, and I was left a complete wreck; but I was to windward of
him, and although he might sink me, he could not board or take
possession until he had refitted his after-sail.

But now his time was come. A fresh antagonist, with equal weight of
metal, was close to him, and he had to decide whether he would fight or
run. Whether he conceived that running was useless, which it certainly
was, or was determined to take us both or die, I know not; certain it is
that 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