out fourteen wounded Frenchmen as well as
our own--two ropes were got out forwards, the boats were manned, and we
proceeded to tow the brig out of the harbour. It was a dead calm, and
we made but little way, but our boat's crew, flushed with victory,
cheered, and rallied, and pulled, with all their strength. The enemy,
perceiving that the privateer was taken, and the French boats drifting
empty up the harbour, now opened their fire upon us, and with great
effect. Before we had towed abreast of the two water batteries, we had
received three shots between wind and water, from the other batteries,
and the sea was pouring fast into the vessel. I had been attending to
poor Mr Chucks, who lay on the starboard side, near the wheel, the
blood flowing from his wound, and tracing its course down the planks of
the deck, to a distance of some feet from where he lay. He appeared
very faint, and I tied my handkerchief round his body, so as to stop the
effusion of blood, and brought him some water, with which I bathed his
face, and poured some into his mouth. He opened his eyes wide, and
looked at me.

"Ah, Mr Simple," said he, faintly, "is it you? It's all over with me
but it could not be better--could it?"

"How do you mean?" inquired I.

"Why, have I not fallen dressed like an officer and a gentleman?" said
he, referring to the captain's jacket and epaulets. "I'd sooner die
now, with this dress on, than to recover to put on the boatswain's
uniform. I feel quite happy."

He pressed my hand, and then closed his eyes again, from weakness. We
were now nearly abreast of the two batteries on the points, the guns of
which had been trained so as to bear upon our boats that were towing out
the brig. The first shot went through the bottom of the launch, and
sank her; fortunately, all the men were saved; but as she was the boat
that towed next to the brig, great delay occurred in getting the others
clear of her, and taking the brig again in tow. The shot now poured in
thick, and the grape became very annoying. Still our men gave way,
cheering at every shot fired, and we had nearly passed the batteries,
with trifling loss, when we perceived that the brig was so full of
water, that she could not swim many minutes longer, and that it would be
impossible to tow her alongside of the frigate. Mr Phillott, under
these circumstances, decided that it would be useless to risk more
lives, and that the wounded should be taken out of the