commanded now by Lieutenant Frederick Watkins, towed before the wind her resolute opponent : whose repeated attempts to cut away this second lashing were defeated by the quick and well-directed fire of the British marines. In the mean while, the constant stream of musketry poured upon the quarterdeck of the Blanche from the forecastle and tops of the Pique, and a well-directed fire from the latter's quarterdeck guns pointed forward, gave great annoyance to the former ; particularly, as having, like many other ships in the British navy at this period no stern-posts on the main deck, the cannonade on the part of the Blanche was confined to two quarterdeck 6-pounders. The carpenters having in vain tried to cut down the upper transom beam, no alternative remained but to blow away a part of it on each side. As soon, therefore, as the firemen with their buckets were assembled in the cabin, the two after guns were pointed against the stern-frame. Their discharge made a clear breach on both sides, and the activity, of the bucket-men quickly extinguished the fire it had occasioned in the wood-work. The two 12-pounders of the Blanche, thus brought into use, soon made considerable havoc upon the Pique's decks.

At about 3 h. 15 m. a.m. the mainmast of the French frigate her fore and mizen masts having previously fallen over the side. In this utterly defenceless state, without a gun which, on account of the wreck of her masts, she could now bring to bear, the Pique sustained the raking fire of the Blanche until 5 h. 15 m. a.m.; when some of the French crew, from the bowsprit-end, called aloud for quarter. The Blanche immediately ceased her fire ; and, every boat in both vessels having been destroyed by shot, Lieutenant Milne, followed by ten seamen, endeavoured to reach the prize by means of the hawser that still held her ; but, their weight bringing the bight of the rope down in the water, they had to swim a part of the distance.

The following diagram will assist in explaining the manner in which this gallantly-fought action was brought to a termination.

The Blanche, besides her 32 long 12 and 6 pounders, mounted six 18-pounder carronades, total 38 guns; and, having sent

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