red below, and
only the sailors, a few blacks, and the officers, kept the deck.
The same expedient was likewise adopted, in part, by Captain
Price, of the Volcano; and in order to give to his ship a still
greater resemblance than it already had to a merchantman, he
displayed an old faded scarlet ensign, and drew up his fore and
mainsail in what sailors term a lubberly manner.

As yet the stranger had shown no colours, but, from her build and
rigging, there was little doubt as to her country. She was a
beautiful schooner, presenting seven ports on a side, and
apparently crowded with men, circumstances which immediately led
us to believe that she was an American privateer. The Volcano,
on the other hand, was a clumsy strong-built ship, carrying
twelve guns; and the Golden Fleece mounted eight; so that, in
point of artillery, the advantage was rather on our side; but the
American's sailing was so much superior to that of either of us,
that this advantage was more than counterbalanced.

Having dodged us till eight o'clock, and reconnoitred with great
exactness, the stranger began to steer gradually nearer and
nearer, till at length it was judged that she had arrived within
range. A gun was accordingly fired from the Volcano, and another
from the transport, the balls from both of which passed over her
and fell into the sea. Finding herself thus assaulted, she
instantly threw off her disguise, and hung out an American
ensign; when, putting her helm up, she poured a broadside, with a
volley of musketry, into the transport; and ran alongside of the
bomb, which sailed to windward.

As soon as her flag was displayed, and her intention of attacking
discerned, all hands were ordered up, and she received two
well-directed broadsides from the Volcano, as well as a warm
salute from the Golden Fleece. But such was the celerity of her
motion, that she was alongside of the bomb in less time than can
be imagined; and actually dashing her bow against the other,
attempted to carry her by boarding. Captain Price, however, was
ready to receive them. The boarders were at their posts in an
instant, and the enemy discovering, when it was too late, the
mistake into which he had fallen, left about twenty of his men
upon the Volcano's bowsprit, all of whom were thrown into the
sea; and filling his sails, sheered off with the same speed with
which he had borne down. In attempting to escape, he unavoidably
fell somewhat to leeward, and