tention, made also for the prize to defend her, he steering up for her
close-hauled, we running down to her free, the prize lying between us,
and sheltering each of us from the other's guns. It is difficult to say
whether the Frenchman or we were the first to touch her sides with our
respective vessels; I rather think that the Frenchman was a second or
two before us. At all events they were quicker than we were, and were
on the deck first, besides having the advantage of the assistance of
their men already on board, so that we were taken at a great
disadvantage. However, we did gain the deck by boarding at two points,
forward and aft, and a fierce contest ensued. The French were more
numerous than we were, but my men were better selected, being all very
powerful, athletic fellows. Philip had boarded with the other party
forward, which was led by my chief officer. My party, who were abaft,
not being so numerous, were beaten back to the taffrail of the vessel,
where we stood at bay, defending ourselves against the furious assaults
of the Frenchmen. But if we lost, the other party gained, for the whole
body of the Frenchmen were between us and them, and those who faced
Philip's party were driven back to abaft the mainmast. It so happened
that Philip was thrown down on the deck, and his men passed over him;
and while in that position, and unable to rise from the pressure upon
him, he heard a calling out from below: this told him that the English
prisoners were in the hold; and as soon as he could rise he threw off
the hatches, and they rushed up, to the number of twenty-three stout
fellows, to our support, cheering most manfully, and by their cheers
announcing to the French that we had received assistance. This gave
fresh courage to my men, who were hard pressed and faint with their
great exertion. We cheered, and rushed upon the enemy, who were already
weakened by many of them having turned round to resist the increased
impetus from forward. Our cheers were replied to by Philip's party and
the prisoners, and the French were losing the day. They made another
desperate rush upon Philip's men, and succeeded in driving them back to
before the main-hatches; but what they gained forward, they lost abaft,
as we pushed on with vigour. This was their last attempt. The
main-hatch being open, several of them in the confusion fell into it,
others followed them of their own accord, and at last every one of them
was beaten d