wounded.

The remaining ships of the north division were gallantly led into action
by the brave Captain Trehouart, whose brig succeeded in reaching her
appointed station.

A terrific cannonade was now taking place, increasing as the ships, one
after the other, got into action. It had, however, unfortunately the
effect of making the wind fall light; and, in consequence, the ships of
the northern division, having to contend with a current running three
miles an hour, were compelled to anchor two cables short of the stations
assigned to them. About this time the Spaniards cast loose the
fire-vessels, chained two and two together; and as they came drifting
down rapidly towards the squadron, the steamers kept moving about to tow
them clear, should they drift against any of the ships. Fortunately
they did no harm; but, till they had drifted past, the steamers could
neither anchor nor open their fire.

At about ten minutes to eleven the action became general; and the effect
of the admirable gunnery practice, both of the English and French crews,
was soon evident by the unsteadiness with which the enemy continued
their fire. No men could, however, have fought more bravely than they
did. No sooner had the fire from the British ships swept one set of men
from their guns, than they were replaced by others, compelled, if not
determined of their own accord, to fight to the last. At length the
fire from the batteries began to slacken, some of the guns being
dismounted, and the gunners driven from the others; and at four p.m., an
occasional shot only being fired, Captain Hotham made the signal for the
boats of the squadron, manned and armed, to rendezvous alongside the
_Gorgon_ and _Firebrand_, sending at the same time to the French
commander, to propose that the remaining part of their plan, which was
that they should land and storm the batteries, should be carried into
immediate execution. Captain Hotham landed with 180 bluejackets and 145
marines, when, giving three hearty British cheers, they formed on the
beach preparatory to making a rush up the hill. Commander Sulivan, who
had under him the skirmishing party and light company of seamen, led the
way up the hill; the rest quickly followed, and, as they reached the
crest, they were received by a smart fire of musketry. The enemy were,
however, quickly driven back before the bayonets of the marines, under
the command of Captain F Hurdle, RM; while, at the same time, the