as already mentioned in Elsineur road, foreseeing the turn that affairs would take, prudently slipped her cable and steered for Norway. This measure, and the knowledge of the active preparations making by the Danes, determined Admiral Gambier to detach a force in pursuit of the frigate. Accordingly, on the 13th, at 2 h. 30 m. P.M., Captain Ekins, with, besides his ship the Defence, the 22-gun ship Comus, Captain Edmund Heywood, weighed and made sail into the Cattegat, for the purpose, although no declaration of war had passed between England and Denmark, of capturing and detaining the Frederickscoarn.

Shortly after the departure of these ships on this unpleasant mission, Captain Ekins hailed Captain Heywood, and directed him, as the Comus, in the prevailing light wind, sailed better than the Defence, to proceed ahead and execute the service alone. The Comus, whose real so far exceeded her rated force, that she mounted 22 long 9-pounders on the main deck, and two of the same caliber, with eight 24-pounder carronades, on the quarterdeck and forecastle, immediately made all sail, followed by the Defence, who gradually dropped astern in the chase. On the 14th, at 6 h. 30 m. A.M., the Comus descried, bearing north, which was nearly ahead, the object of her orders, steering the same course as herself. Calms and partial airs retarded the progress of all three ships ; and at noon the Frederickscoarn bore from the Comus north five miles, and the Defence south by east seven miles. At 4 P.M., the Danish frigate had increased her distance a mile. At 6 P.M., a light easterly breeze sprang up ; and at 8 P.M., the Comus had advanced considerably in the chase, while the Defence was full 13 miles astern.

At a few minutes before midnight the Comus got alongside of the Frederickscoarn, whose 32 guns were Danish 12 and 6 pounders, with 6 12-pounder carronades in addition. Captain, Heywood desired the Danish captain to bring to, and allow his frigate to be detained. Considering that the Frederickscoarn was not merely a national ship of war, but a vessel, in guns, men, and size, superior to the Comus, no other reply could be expected than a peremptory refusal. On this the British ship fired a musket athwart the stern of the Dane, and instantly received a shot from one of the latter's stern-chasers. All ceremony being now at an end, the Comus bore up, and, as soon as she bad placed herself astern of the Frederickscoarn in a raking position, commenced the action within pistol-shot. The fire of the Comus was immediately returned, and the cannonade continued for about 45 minutes ; when the Frederickscoarn, from the disabled state of her rigging and sails, fell on board her opponent. A portion of the crew of the Comus, led on by Lieutenants George Edward Watts and Hood Knight, quickly rushed on the decks of the Danish frigate, and carried her without further resistance.

Besides escaping nearly untouched in hull, and with very

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