bravery, and gratifying his unnatural hatred; but it was thought too dangerous to comply. The coasts were guarded by patrolling parties, while large bodies of trained troops were placed at convenient distances from each other; a species of animals French sailors do not much care to meddle or interfere with. Smith, burning with rage against England, had his head filled with nothing but schemes to offend it; amongst the rest he sent proposals to the French court of burning Harwich, a little town situated near the mouth of the Thames, provided six galleys were submitted to his command. The king approved his project, gave orders to Commodore Langeron to follow Captain Smith's instructions in the whole of the expedition, and to the intendant to furnish whatever was necessary towards carrying it on. The Chevalier Langeron felt some repugnance at being subjected to the controul of a stranger, invested with no commission; however, he obeyed with seeming satisfaction, while Smith gave the necessary directions for collecting combustibles, and a reinforcement of soldiers, with whatever else was thought necessary. Every thing being in readiness, we put to sea on the 5th of September, in a fine clear morning, with a gentle favourable wind at north-east. We arrived at the mouth of the Thames without using our oars, at about five in the evening. But Smith, being of opinion that we were too early, and that we might be discovered if we came too near the shore, ordered us to stand off to sea till night fall, and to make our descent when it was dark. We had not laid to half an hour, when the sailor at the mast-head cried out, "A fleet to the north, steering west, thirty-six sail, merchant-built, and escorted by a small frigate of about thirty guns." It was, in fact, a fleet of merchant ships who had left the Texel, and were making for the mouth of the Thames.

Our commodore inmediately called a council of war, in which it was concluded, that, without regarding Harwich, we should endeavour to make ourselves masters of this fleet; that this would be doing the king better service than burning Harwich; that an opportunity would every day offer for doing that; but so rich a booty as this would seldom occur. These reasons, nevertheless, did not in the least influence Captain Smith; he protested against their resolutions, alledging that his majesty's orders should be obeyed, without being drawn away by any different enterprize, and that we should steer to the south to prevent being seen by this fleet.

The council of war persevered in their resolution, secretly pleased at thwarting the designs of a man whom they regarded with envy, and whose success would but give them cause to repine.

The result of the deliberations of the council was, an order to the six captains to attack this fleet. We made all possible haste, with both sails and oars, and as it approached us while we made towards it,

we soon came up.

Our commodore had given orders for four of the galleys to invest, if possible, and master the merchant ships, which was an easy matter, as such vessels are for the most part defenceless; while our galley, which was Commodore, and that of Chevalier Mauviliers, should attack and become masters of the frigate, which served for convoy.

In pursuance of these dispositions, four galleys took a compass to surround the merchantmen, and cut off their entrance into the Thames, while we went directly to attack the frigate. The frigate perceiving our design, and the danger which threatened the whole, or the greatest part of the fleet, took its measures accordingly. It was an English ship, the captain of which had the character of be

ing one of the most resolute, yet prudent commanders in the British navy; and, indeed, his conduct in this conjuncture did not give fame the lie. He ordered the merchantmen to crowd all the sail possible to get into the Thames; doubting not, for his own part, but he should be able with his little frigate to cut out work enough for six French galleys; and let what would be the result of the engagement, he was determined not to give out till he saw the ships under his convoy in safety. Pursuant to this resolution, he spread his sails, and bore down upon us, as if he intended to be the first

aggressor.

Of the two galleys ordered to attack the frigate, our's alone was in a capacity to begin the engagement, as our associate had fallen back at least a league behind us; either as she did not sail so fast as we, or else her captain chose to let us have the honour of striking the first blow. Our commodore, who seemed no way disturbed at the approach of the frigate, thought our galley alone would be more than a match for the Englishman; but the sequel will shew, that he was somewhat deceived in this conjecture.

As we both mutually approached each other, we were soon within cannon-shot, and accordingly the galley discharged her broadside. The frigate, silent as death, approached us without firing a gun, but seeming steadily resolved to reserve all her terrors for more close engagement. Our commodore, nevertheless, mistook English resolution for cowardice: "What," cried he, "is the frigate weary of carrying English colours? and does she come to surrender without a blow!"' The boast was preStill we approached each other, and now

mature.

were within musquet-shot.

The galley incessantly poured in her broadside and small arms, the frigate all this while preserving

the most dreadful tranquillity that imagination can conceive. At last the Englishman seemed all at once struck with a panic, and began to fly for it. Nothing gives more spirits than a flying enemy; nothing was heard but boasting among our officers ; we could at one blast sink a man of war, aye, that we could, and with ease too. If Mr. English does not strike it in two minutes, down he goes, down to the bottom! All this time the frigate was, in silence, preparing for the tragedy which was to ensue. Her flight was but pretended, and done with a view to entice us to board her in her stern; which, as being the weakest quarter, galleys generally choose to attack. Against this quarter they endeavour to drive their beak, and then generally board the enemy, after having cleared the decks with their five pieces of cannon. The commodore, in such a favourable conjuncture as he imagined this. to be, ordered the galley to board, and bid the men at the helm to bury her beak, if possible, in the frigate. All the sailors and soldiers stood ready with their sabres and battle-axes to execute his commands. The frigate, who perceived our intentions, dexterously avoided our beak, which was just ready to be dashed against her stern; so that, instead of seeing the frigate sink in the dreadful encounter, as was expected, we had the mortification to behold her fairly along side of us; an interview which struck us with terror. Now it was that the English captain's courage was conspicuous; as he had foreseen what would happen, he was ready with his grappling irons, and fixed us fast by his side. His artillery began to open, charged with grape-shot; all on board the galley were as much exposed as if upon a raft; not a gun was fired that did not make horrible execution, we were near enough even to be scorched with the flame. The English masts were filled with sailors, who

threw hand-granades among us all, that scattered wounds and death wherever they fell. Our crew now no longer thought of attacking, they were even unable to make the least defence. The terror was so great, as well among the officers as common men, that they seemed incapable of resistance. Those who were neither killed nor wounded lay flat, and counterfeited death to find safety. The enemy, perceiving our fright, to add to our misfortunes, threw in forty or fifty men, who, sword in hand, hewed down all that ventured to oppose, sparing, however, the slaves who made no resistance. After they had cut away thus for some time, being constrained back by our still surviving numbers, they continued to pour infernal fire among us.

Chevalier Langeron, seeing himself reduced to this sad extremity, and a great part of his crew either killed or wounded, was the only one on board who had courage enough to wave the flag of distress, by which he called the other galleys of the squadron to his aid.

The galley which had laid astern was soon up with us, and the other four, who had almost taken possession of the merchantmen, upon seeing our signal and perceiving our distress, quitted the intended prey to come to our assistance. Thus the whole fleet of merchant ships saved themselves in the Thames. The galleys rowed with such swiftness, that in less than half an hour the whole six had encompassed the frigate. Her men were now no longer able to keep the deck, and she presented a favourable opportunity for being boarded. Twenty-five grenadiers from each galley were ordered upon this service. They met with no opposition on coming on, but scarce were they crowded upon the deck, when they once again were saluted a l'Anglois. The officers of the frigate were intrenched in the forecastle, and fired upon the grenadiers in