ath. Captain
Curtis himself was often in the most imminent danger, while thus showing
mercy to the enemy, and, at one time, a pinnace in which he had thrown
himself, was close to one of the batteries when it blew up. The pinnace
was involved in one vast cloud of fire and smoke, and masses of flaming
wood, and it was expected that the brave crew had perished. It was not
so: as the smoke cleared away, the pinnace was seen still proudly riding
on the waves. Her coxswain was killed, several of her crew were wounded,
and one of the burning masses of timber had fallen into her, and had
gone through her bottom, but the sailors saved her from sinking by
stuffing their jackets into the cavity! In the end all the floating
batteries were consumed, and the loss of the enemy, exclusive of that
sustained by the troops on the isthmus, was computed at 1500 men, while
the garrison lost only sixteen killed, and had sixty-eight wounded. It
was a blow severely felt by the enemy; but a gleam of hope burst through
the gloom which surrounded them, so that the siege was not immediately
abandoned. It was known that Elliot's stock of ammunition and provisions
was greatly reduced, and it was hoped that the combined fleet collected
in the narrow bay might be able to prevent any relief. That hope also
proved vain. Lord Howe had set sail with thirty-four ships of the line,
three fire-ships, and six frigates, having under his protection an
immense convoy of transports and trading vessels, with all which, on the
11th of October, he passed between the shores of Europe and Africa,
and through the Straits of Gibraltar. On the same day he succeeded in
landing the cargoes of four of the transports without meeting with
any interruption from the combined fleet; and, subsequently, a violent
hurricane having driven the French and Spaniards on the Barbary coast,
he landed all the stores and fresh troops which he had brought for the
relief of the garrison. His task was completed by the 19th, on which
day he repassed the Straits, and spread his sails for England. He was
followed by the enemy, and on the 20th as they gained upon him off Cape
St. Vincent, he lay in order to receive them. A partial engagement took
place, but the French and Spaniards testified no anxiety to come to
close quarters; and towards the evening they hauled their wind, and gave
up all idea of battle or pursuit. Thus perished the hopes of Spain to
recover a barren rock; but a rock, the price of