fifty-five minutes past five, finding themselves disappointed in
their object, and we were closing with them fast, they shortened
sail, and formed on a line of wind, about half a cable's length
from each other. At six P.M. having them under command of our
battery, hoisted our colours, which was answered by both ships
hoisting English ensigns. At five minutes past six, ranged up on
the starboard side of the sternmost ship, about 300 yards
distant, and commenced the action by broadsides, both ships
returning our fire with the greatest spirit for about fifteen
minutes, then the fire of the enemy beginning to slacken, and
the great column of smoke collected under our lee, induced (p. 248)
us to cease our fire to ascertain their positions and conditions.
In about three minutes the smoke clearing away, we found
ourselves abreast of the headmost ship, the sternmost ship
luffing up for our larboard quarter; we poured a broadside into
the headmost ship, and then braced aback our main and mizzen
topsails, and backed astern under cover of the smoke, abreast the
sternmost ship, when the action was continued with spirit and
considerable effect until 35 minutes past 6, when the enemy's
fire again slackened, and we discovered the headmost bearing up;
filled our topsails, shot ahead, and gave her two stern rakes. We
then discovered the sternmost ship wearing also; wore ship
immediately after her, and gave her a stern rake, she luffing to
on our starboard bow and giving us her larboard broadside. We
ranged upon her larboard quarter, within hail, and were about to
give her our starboard broadside, when she struck her colours,
fired a lee gun and yielded. At fifty minutes past six took
possession of His Britannic Majesty's ship Cyane, Captain Gordon
Falcon, mounting 34 guns. At 8 P.M. filled away after her
consort, which was still in sight to leeward. At half-past eight
found her standing towards us, with her starboard tacks close
hauled, with top-gallant sails set and colours flying. At 50
minutes past 8 ranged close alongside to windward of her, on
opposite tacks, and exchanged broadsides; wore immediately under
her stern, and raked her with a broadside. She then crowded all
sail and endeavoured to escape by running, hauled on board our
tacks, set spanker