Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/167

Rh Flushed with his success, Decäen resolved to resume the offensive. Collecting all the ships at his disposal, now constituting a formidable squadron, he blockaded the island of Bourbon, intercepting with great success the merchantmen which were bringing supplies to it from India. He hoped to starve the English garrison into submission before it could be strengthened by the large reinforcements which, he well knew, were on their way from India. The only English ship remaining in those waters, the Boadicea, 38, had, after the re-capture of the Isle de la Passe, taken refuge in the harbour of St. Paul.

Whilst the blockade of Bourbon was still being maintained the British 38 gun frigate L'Africaine, appeared off St. Denis (12th September). Captain Rowley instantly brought round the Boadicea with the Otter, sloop of war, and the Staunch, gun-brig, to join the new arrival. The junction having been effected it was resolved to attempt to drive away the blockading force, consisting of the Iphigénie recently captured at Grand Port — and the Astrée.

The French frigates stood at once off to sea enticing the enemy to follow them. It was soon found that the Africaine was a far better sailer than the French frigates and than her own consort, the Boadicea, and that in the chase she was rapidly leaving the latter behind. She therefore shortened sail. Before night fell, however, the Africaine had come up close to the enemy, and she