very light airs ; and the two rearmost frigates, being nearly within gun-shot, were carrying a press of sail to close their companions. The Arrogant and Victorious now edged away a little, to endeavour to cut off these two frigates, but did not succeed, owing chiefly to the calm state of the weather. At a few minutes past 6 a.m., finding an action inevitable, Rear-admiral Sercey signalled his squadron to put about together, intending to try for the weathergage. The frigates were soon reformed on the larboard tack, and, with the Vertu now as the van-ship, stretched on to windward of their opponents.

At 7 h. 25 m. a.m. the Arrogant, still with her consort on the starboard tack, opened her fire on the Vertu, at the distance of about 700 yards, and succeeded in discharging two broadsides before the French frigate, owing to her position, could bring any guns to bear. The first broadside, however, which the Vertu did fire, brought down the Arrogant's ensign. It was immediately replaced by a union jack. The frigates were formed thus : Vertu, Seine, Forte, Régénérée, the latter a little to windward of her second ahead and astern, Cybèle, Prudente, the last on a line with the Régénérée. As they slowly passed in succession, the frigates kept up a brisk cannonade upon the two 74s ; the fire from one of which cut away the foretopsail yard of, and otherwise greatly damaged, the Vertu. At 8 h. 30 m. a.m., the rearmost French frigate, the Prudente, having got so far on the starboard quarter of the Arrogant as to be out of gun-shot from her, the latter ceased firing.

Since ten minutes after the commencement of the action a calm had prevailed ; and the Arrogant, even had she been in perfect order, would have found it difficult to wear. As it was, her foretopsail yard had been shot away ; and so had the larboard arm of the maintopsail and cross jack yards, starboard arm of the spritsail yard, and the mizen topgallantmast. The main topgallantmast had also been shot through, and the main yard, mainmast, and bowsprit much wounded. Three of her boats had been rendered useless by shot ; and all the larboard main rigging and stays were cut away, with the whole of the starboard or weather braces and yard tackles. Her sails, also, were in a shattered condition. Thus situated, the Arrogant was quite in an unmanageable state.

The Victorious, who lay about a cable's length astern, and rather to leeward, of the Arrogant, opened her fire, as the French frigates, after having discharged their broadsides at the latter, successively got abreast of her. At about 8 a.m. Captain Clark was wounded in the thigh and carried below, and Lieutenant William Waller took command of the ship. At 8 h. 40 m. a.m., which was soon after the Arrogant had, as already stated, ceased firing, the Victorious wore round on the same tack as the enemy, and brought her larboard guns to bear. At 9 a.m. she perceived a signal at the Arrogant's foretopmast head

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