Page:History of the French in India.djvu/544

 THE LAST STRUGGLE FOR EMPIRE. arrived that very clay after a long voyage, crowded with soldiers, and but one of the ships composing which belonged to the royal navy of France. At the time he was seen by the English Admiral, d'Ache* was standing up towards Pondichery from Nagapatan, seven of his ships being in line, and two cruising in the offing. The English Admiral at once formed his line, between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, bore down on the " Zodiaque," and, as soon as he came within half- musket shot, made the signal to his captains for close action. Meanwhile the ships of d'Ache's squadron had opened a hot fire on the approaching enemy, though without receiving any in return. About four o'clock, however, the action became general, the two admirals sailing close to, and directing their fire at, one another. But the French ships experienced in this sort of engage- ment all the disadvantage of want of regular training and of overcrowding. Their fire was slow and badly directed, whilst the well-aimed discharges of the English made terrible havoc on their crowded decks. It is due, however, to d'Ache to state that he fought his ship, the " Zodiaque," with great skill and gallantry, and it was only after the " Sylphide," the " Concle," the "Due de Bourgogne," the " Bien Aime," and the " Moras," had been forced to quit the line, that d'Ache, with the remainder of the squadron, bore up to follow them. Meanwhile the " Comte de Provence "f and the " Dili- gente" had come out from Pondichery to assist the French. Towards them therefore d'Ache directed his course, intending, with their aid, to renew the engage „ Vengeur 54 Bieo Aime 58 „ Conde 44 „ Saint Louis 50 „ Moras 44 Sylphide 36 belonging to the Com • pany of the Indies, and built to serve, when re- quired, as men-of-wan t Carrying 74 guus, the Diligente, 24. „ Due d'Orleans 50 Ducde Bourgogne 60 M
 * His ships were: Le Zodiaque 74 guns, of the French Navy.