rolled off as if it had been gradually
furled, and sweeping away in a heavy bank to leeward, exposed the state
and position of the whole convoy, and the contending vessels. The
English seamen on board of the Portsmouth cheered the return of
daylight, as it might truly be termed. Captain Lumley found that they
had been contending in the very center of the convoy, which was still
lying around them, with the exception of about fifteen vessels, which
were a few miles apart, with their heads in an opposite direction. These
were evidently those which had been captured. The two frigates, which
had been stationed in the rear of the convoy, were still two or three
miles distant, but making all sail to come up and assist the Portsmouth.
Many of the convoy, which had been in the direction of the fire,
appeared to have suffered in their masts and sails; but whether any
injury had been received in their hulls it was not possible to say. The
French line-of-battle ship had suffered dreadfully from the fire of the
Portsmouth. Her mainmast and mizzen-mast were over the side, her forward
ports were many of them almost beat into one, and every thing on board
appeared to be in the greatest confusion.

"She can't stand this long," observed Captain Lumley. "Fire away, my
lads."

"The Circe and Vixen are coming down to us, sir," observed the first
lieutenant; "we do not want them, and they will only be an excuse for
the Frenchman to surrender to a superior force. If they recaptured the
vessels taken, they would be of some service."

"Very true. Mr. Campbell, make their signal to pursue captured
vessels."

Alfred ran aft to obey the orders. The flags had just flown out at the
mast-head, when he received a bullet through his arm: for the French,
unable to use the major portion of their guns, had, when the fog cleared
up, poured in incessant volleys of musketry upon the decks of the
Portsmouth. Alfred desired the quarter-master to untie his neck
handkerchief for him, and bind up his arm. Having so done, he continued
to do his duty. A bold attempt was now made by the French to clear their
vessel by cutting the fastening of her bowsprit, but the marines of the
Portsmouth were prepared for them, and after about twenty gallant
fellows had dropped down on the booms and gangways of the Portsmouth,
the attempt was given up, and four minutes afterward the French colors
were hauled down. She was boarded from her bowsprit by the first
lieutenant and