1810	Commodore Rowley off Isle of France	269

islanders, who at first halted and remained upon their ground. But the moment the British, by moving in quick time, discovered their intention, the French militia, followed by the regulars, took to their heels, as had been conjectured, and, a second time, beat the British seamen and marines in fair running. On their way back to their boats, to reach which they had again to wade across the river Galet, the bold invaders burnt the signal-house and flagstaff, situated nearly a mile from the beach : a proof to what a distance the fugitives had led them. Having well sounded the harbour, Captain Willoughby took with him the French schooner, which the midshipman left in charge of the boats had secured just as she was sweeping to sea, and rejoined the Néréide in the offing. The ship, a fine vessel of 400 tons, proved to be an American: and, although she was detainable for a breach of blockade, Captain Willoughby did not capture her.

This very gallant, and, as we shall see, far from unimportant enterprise, was executed with so comparatively trifling a loss, as one marine killed, Lieutenant Deacon (slightly), four seamen, and two marines wounded. The loss of the enemy could not be ascertained ; nor was it exactly known what force the British had defeated. From information, corroborated by what fell from the French officers, a body of 600 troops could reinforce the batteries at the post, by signal, within an hour ; and the signal for an enemy was flying during the whole four hours that the British remained on shore. Nor did the seamen or marines, much to the credit of themselves and their officers, commit the slightest injury to the houses or private property of the inhabitants.

As soon as the Néréide joined the squadron off Port-Louis, Captain Lambert sent in a flag of truce, with the captured militia commandant, lieutenant of infantry, and enseigne de vaisseau, and received in exchange for them 39 British seamen and soldiers. This was an immediate good result of the enterprise at Jacolet. The benefits of a more permanent nature, arising from the exploit of Captain Willoughby, were, an instance of the practicability, hitherto doubted, of making a descent upon the Isle of France, and a proof that the principal part of the troops in the island consisted of militia ; of whose prowess, also, as defenders of any spot of ground, some very conclusive evidence had been obtained.

Some time in the month of May Captain Josias Rowley, late of the 64-gun ship Raisonable, having by the orders of Vice-admiral William O'Brien Drury, the commander-in-chief at the Cape of Good Hope, superseded Captain John Hatley in the command of the 38-gun frigate Boadicea, arrived, with the latter frigate and the Sirius, off the Isle of France. The Raisonable the mean time being nearly worn out in the service, had sailed for England commanded by Captain Hatley ; and the Leopard having also quitted the Isle of France station for the

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