the _Wagram_, the enemy's rear ship. The fleet was at this
time bringing up the original wind, and the _Caledonia, San Josef_, and
_Boyne_, actually fetched within gun-shot of the French Admiral, before
the wind headed them. The _Wagram_, which had reserved her fire for the
_Caledonia_, exchanged broadsides with her, but at too great a distance
to produce material effect; and the enemy being so far to windward,
succeeded in reaching Toulon. Eleven shots from the _Wagram_ and the
batteries struck the _Caledonia_, wounding the mainmast, cutting some of
the shrouds, and destroying a small boat upon the booms. Much
disappointment was felt by all the fleet, and the conduct of the
advanced squadron was strongly censured by many in the ships astern, who
supposed that they had intentionally bore away, when in fact they had
come up within influence of the head wind.

A more serious, though very partial affair occurred in the following
February. On the evening of the 12th, Rear-Admiral Kosmao Kerjulien
sailed from Toulon, with three sail of the line, and three frigates, to
escort a seventy-four which was expected from Genoa. On the following
morning, the fleet returning from Mahon, discovered the enemy to the
eastward of Hyeres Islands. They were at first supposed to be British
ships, but the Admiral himself going aloft, clearly made out their
character. The _Boyne_, Captain Burlton, a small three-decker, sister
ship to the _Victory_, was considerably in advance of the fleet. It was
on Sunday, and the ships were preparing for the morning service, which
had already commenced on board the _Boyne_, when the signal for a
general chase was thrown out. The wind blew strong from E.S.E., and the
_Boyne_, perceiving the enemy's intention to come through the little
pass of Hyeres Bay, stood for that pass to intercept them. Sir Edward,
who was leaning on the foreyard, watched her with admiration, but
extreme anxiety. "Hold on, my brave Burlton!" he exclaimed, as the
_Boyne_ dashed at their whole force. Then, as he feared they would all
close, and overpower her before he could arrive to her assistance, he
turned to an officer at his side, and declared with energy, "If they
take her they sha'nt keep her, for I'll go in with the fleet!"

Passing through the enemy immediately astern of a frigate, to which she
gave a broadside, the _Boyne_ separated the rear-ship from the others,
and brought her to action. This ship, the _Romulus_, a two-decker,