s after yards to the
wind,[112] to move the slower. As he ported his helm when leaving the
_Barfleur_, this brought these sails aback, keeping him a still longer
time before the British ships thrown to the rear. "In this he was
supported by those ships which were astern, or immediately ahead of
him. During this short but tremendous conflict in that part of the
field of battle, nothing whatever could be seen of them for upwards
of twenty minutes, save de Grasse's white flag at the main-topgallant
masthead of the _Ville de Paris_, gracefully floating above the
immense volumes of smoke that enveloped them, or the pennants of those
ships which were occasionally perceptible, when an increase of breeze
would waft away the smoke."[113]

[Illustration]

Though most gallantly done, no such routine manoeuvre as this could
shake Hood's solidly assumed position. The attempt was repeated in the
afternoon, but more feebly, and upon the centre and rear only. This
also was ineffectual; and Hood was left in triumphant possession of
the field. The losses in the several affairs of the two days had been:
British, 72 killed, 244 wounded; French, 107 killed, 207 wounded.
Thenceforth the French fleet continued cruising to leeward of the
island, approaching almost daily, frequently threatening attack, and
occasionally exchanging distant shots; but no serious encounter took
place. Interest was centred on Brimstone Hill, where alone on the
island the British flag still flew. De Grasse awaited its surrender,
flattering himself that the British would be forced then to put
to sea, and that his fleet, increased by successive arrivals to
thirty-two of the line, would then find an opportunity to crush the
man who had outwitted and out-manoeuvred him on January 25th and 26th.
In this hope he was deceived by his own inaptness and his adversary's
readiness. Hood was unable to succour Brimstone Hill, for want of
troops; the French having landed six thousand men, against which the
British twenty-four hundred could effect nothing, either alone or in
cooeperation with the garrison, which was but twelve hundred strong.
The work capitulated on the 13th of February. De Grasse, who had
neglected to keep his ships provisioned, went next day to Nevis and
anchored there to empty the storeships. That evening Hood called
his captains on board, explained his intentions, had them set their
watches by his, and at 11 P.M. the cables were cut one by one, lights
being l