e ships which had been trained forward
were reported to bear upon the enemy, and both commanders were aware
that "knocking away a stick"--i.e., the shots striking the masts or
yards of her opponent, so as to occasion them to fall--would decide the
point. At the very time that Captain M--- was giving directions to fire
the main-deck guns as they would bear, the first shot from his
antagonist whizzed over his head, and the action commenced, each party
attempting to cripple his opponent by firing high at his masts and
rigging. The frigates continued to engage, until they had closed-to
within half a mile of each other, when the main-topmast of the Frenchman
fell over the side.

This decided the point as to his escape through the passage, which he
had made his utmost exertions to effect, in pursuance of the peremptory
orders which he had received. He now hauled his wind on the same tack
as the _Aspasia_, pouring in his starboard broadside as he rounded-to.
The manoeuvre was good, as he thereby retained his weather-gage--and the
wreck of his top-mast having fallen over his larboard side, he had his
starboard broadside, which was all clear, and directed towards his
opponent; moreover, he forced the _Aspasia_ to follow him into the bay
formed between the Bec du Raz and the Bec du Chevre, where she would in
all probability receive considerable damage from the batteries which
lined the coast.

Captain M--- was aware of all this; but his only fear was that his enemy
should run on shore, and prevent his carrying him into port. The
_Aspasia_ was soon abreast of her opponent, and their broadsides were
exchanged, when Captain M---, who wished to bring the action to a speedy
conclusion, shot his vessel ahead, which he was enabled to do, from his
superiority of sailing, after the main-topmast of the French frigate had
been shot away. It was his intention not to have tacked until he could
have fetched his antagonist, but the galling fire of the batteries,
which now hulled him every time, induced him to go about, and, as he was
in stays, a raking shot entered the cabin windows, and, in its passage
along the main-deck, added ten men to his list of killed and wounded.

Again the frigates, on opposite tacks, poured in their broadsides--the
fore-yard of the Frenchman was divided in the slings, and fell, hanging
by the topsail sheets and lifts, and tearing the sails, which fell over
the forecastle guns, and caught fire as they were disc