Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/18

 *vass that could stand; but, notwithstanding all our efforts, the enemy was rapidly gaining both on myself and on the Phœbe, and escape for either appeared impossible.

Seeing the Redbridge persevere in endeavouring to cross them, it occurred to me that Captain Capel might probably have directed the lieutenant to take the prizes under his convoy, and stand to the northward, in order to create a diversion, and thereby separate the pursuing enemy; this idea was strengthened by soon after observing the weathermost open her fire upon the schooner, which immediately struck, and, together with the other settée, hove too. The time lost in exchanging the prisoners, indicating no very zealous anxiety to resume the chase, also tended to confirm my suspicion; hence, doubting whether I had not erred in neglecting the advice (for it did not amount to an order) of the lieutenant of the Redbridge, I determined on bearing up, in the hope of getting to leeward, and enticing one of the frigates after me. At this time I was about three miles on the weather bow, and the Phœbe