etting off by outsailing them.

In the situation, finding ourselves in only twenty-four fathoms
water (by the suggestion of that valuable officer, Lieutenant
Morris), I determined to try and warp the ship ahead by carrying
out anchors and warping her up to them. Three or four hundred
fathoms of rope was instantly got up, and two anchors got ready
and sent ahead, by which means we began to gain ahead of the
enemy. They however soon saw our boats carrying out the anchors,
and adopted the same plan, under very advantageous circumstances,
as all the boats from the ship furthermost off were sent to tow
and warp up those nearest to us, by which means they again came
up, so that at 9 the ship nearest us began firing her bow guns,
which we instantly returned by our stern guns in the cabin and on
the quarter deck. All the shots from the enemy fell short, but we
have reason to believe that some of ours went on board her, as we
could not see them strike the water. Soon after 9 a second
frigate passed under our lee and opened her broadside, but
finding her shot fell short, discontinued her fire, but
continued, as did all the rest of them, to make every possible
exertion to get up with us.

From 9 to 12, all hands were employed in warping the ship ahead,
and in starting some of the water in the main hold, to lighten
her, by which, with the help of a light air, we rather gained of
the enemy, or at least held on our own. About 2, in the
afternoon, all the boats from the line of battle ship, and some
of the frigates, were sent to the frigate nearest to us, to
endeavour to tow her up, but a light breeze sprung up, which
enabled us to hold way with her, notwithstanding they had eight
or ten boats ahead, and all her sails furled to tow her to
windward. The wind continued light until 11 at night, and the
boats were kept ahead towing and warping to keep out of the reach
of the enemy, three of the frigates being very near us. At 11, we
got a light breeze from the southward, the boats came alongside,
and were hoisted up, the ship having too much way to keep them
ahead, the enemy still in chase and very near.

_July 19th._ At daylight passed within gun shot of one of the
frigates, but she did not fire on us, perhaps for fear of
becalming her as the wind was l