and to leeward. Our own damages were trifling--two men
slightly wounded, and one main shroud cut away. We ran about
half-a-mile astern from them; then with both broadsides ready, we
tacked, and found that, as we expected, we could weather the whole of
them. This we did; O'Brien running the brig within biscuit-throw of the
weather schooner, engaging him broadside to broadside, with the
advantage that the other two could not fire a shot into us without
standing a chance of striking their consort. If he made more sail, so
did we; if he shortened, so did we, so as to keep our position with
little variation. The schooner fought well; but her metal was not to be
compared with our thirty-two pound carronades, which ploughed up her
sides at so short a distance, driving two ports into one. At last her
foremast went by the board, and she dropped astern. In the meantime the
other schooners had both tacked, and were coming up under our stern to
rake us, but the accident which happened to the one we had engaged left
us at liberty. We knew that she could not escape, so we tacked and
engaged the other two, nearing them as fast as we could. The breeze now
sprang up fast, and O'Brien put up the helm and passed between them,
giving them both a raking broadside of grape and cannister, which
brought the sticks about their ears. This sickened them; the smallest
schooner which had been the leewardest at the commencement of the
action, made all sail on a wind. We clapped on the royals to follow
her, when we perceived that the other schooner, which had been in the
middle, and whose main-boom we had shot away, had put her helm up, and
was crowding all sail before the wind. O'Brien then said, "Must not try
for too much, or we shall lose all. Put her about, Peter,--we must be
content with the one that is left us."

We went about and ranged up to the schooner which had lost her foremast;
but she, finding that her consort had deserted her, hauled down her
colours just as we were about to pour in our broadside. Our men gave
three cheers; and it was pleasant to see them all shaking hands with
each other, congratulating and laughing at the successful result of our
action.

"Now, my lads, be smart;--we've done enough for honour, now for profit.
Peter, take the two cutters full of men, and go on board of the
schooner, while I get hold of the three West Indiamen. Rig something
jury forward, and follow me."

In a minute the cutters were