he deck, and three times was I thrown back into the
boats. At last we had fairly obtained our ground, and were driving them
gradually forward, when, as I ran on the gunwale to obtain a position
more in advance of my men, I received a blow with the butt end of a
musket, I believe on the shoulder, which knocked me overboard, and I
fell between the sweeps, and sank under the vessel's bottom. I rose
under the stern; but I was so shook with the violence of the blow, that
I was for some time confused; still I had strength to keep myself above
water, and paddled, as it appeared, away from the vessel, until I hit
against a sweep which had fallen overboard. This supported me, and I
gradually recovered myself.

A light breeze rippled the water, and I knew that I had no time to lose.
In about five minutes I heard the sound of oars, and perceived a boat
crossing me. I hailed as loud as I could--they heard me; laid on their
oars--and I hailed again--they pulled to me, and took me in. It was the
master of the brig, who, aware of the capture of one gun-boat, and the
retreat of the other, was looking for his vessel; or, as he told me, for
what was left of her. In a short time we found her, and, although very
much cut up, she had received no shot under water.

Here I may as well relate the events of the action. One of the other
divisions of gun-boats had retreated when attacked by the boats. The
other had beaten off the boats, and killed many of the men, but had
suffered so much themselves, as to retreat without making any capture.
The _Acasta_ lost four men killed, and seven wounded; the _Isis_, three
men wounded; the _Reindeer_ had nobody hurt; the _Rattlesnake_ had six
men killed, and two wounded, including the captain; but of that I shall
speak hereafter. I found that I was by no means seriously hurt by the
blow I had received: my shoulder was stiff for a week, and very much
discoloured, but nothing more. When I fell overboard I had struck
against a sweep, which had cut my ear half off. The captain of the brig
gave me dry clothes, and in a few hours I was very comfortably asleep,
hoping to join my ship the next day; but in this I was disappointed.
The breeze was favourable and fresh; but we were clear of the Sound, but
a long way astern of the convoy, and none of the headmost men-of-war to
be seen. I dressed and went on deck, and immediately perceived that I
had little chance of joining my ship until we arrived at Carlsc