Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/49

Rh the squadron of Sir Edward Hughes. Suffren formed his ships in line of battle till he arrived within two cannonshots of the English fleet. He then anchored and summoned all his captains on board the Héros to a council of war.

It must always be remembered that the fleet of M. de Suffren was escorting transports conveying a corps d'armée, and that it was a main object with him to land his troops and disembarrass himself of his transports before attempting an equal combat with the enemy. The proposal then of the captain of the Fine, M. Perrier de Salvart, to attack Sir Edward Hughes, lying as he was under the cover of the guns of Madras, appeared to him too hazardous. He determined therefore to direct the transports on towards Porto Novo, covering their course with his fleet.

In pursuance of this decision the fleet commenced its southward course that same evening. But as the breeze freshened, Suffren observed the English vessels hoist their sails and follow him. Rightly conceiving that their object was to cut off his transports, Suffren gave the order that these should range themselves between the shore and his fleet, covered by the corvette the Pourvoyeuse, and make all sail for Porto Novo, whilst the Fine should watch the enemy's movements.

In spite of these precautions, however. Sir Edward Hughes, favoured by the darkness of the night, glided unperceived between the French squadron and the transports. These latter crowded sail to escape, and when