Page:Repository of Arts, Series 1, Volume 01, 1809, January-June.djvu/606

 clime of South America, with which they were returning to their country, intending there to enjoy the fruits of their industry. The captain stated that he was particularly unfortunate, having lost a like sum by a similar accident, in 1779, when he was obliged to begin the world again. Their distress was such that Lord Cochrane could not help feeling for their disaster; and with that generosity which is ever the attendant of true bravery, he consulted his officers on the propriety of returning each of those gentlemen 5000 dollars in specie, which was immediately agreed to be done, according to their respective proportions. His lordship then ordered the boatswain to pipe all hands on deck; and addressing his crew, with much feeling, but in a plain, seaman-like way, stated the above particulars. The appeal was successful: the gallant fellows, with one voice, exclaimed, “Aye, aye, my lord, with all our hearts!” and gave three cheers. The Spaniards were overcome with this instance of generosity, and actually shed tears of joy on the occasion.

The Fortuna arrived at Plymouth on the 7th of March, and on the 23d of the same month his lordship sent in a beautiful Spanish letter of marque of 14 guns, of considerable value.

In the early part of 1806 the Pallas was attached to the squadron under Vice-Admiral Thornborough off Rochefort. Her enterprizing commander having received intelligence that several vessels were lying in the river Garonne, he proceeded thither; and a little after dark, on the 5th of April, the Pallas was anchored close to the shoal of Cordovan. About three o’clock, the national corvette La Tapageuse, of fourteen long twelve-pounders and 95 men, which had the guard, was boarded, carried, and cut out about twenty miles above the shoals of that dangerous river, within two heavy batteries, in spite of all resistance. The flood-tide ran strong at day-light of the 6th; La Tapageuse made sail, and a general alarm was given. A sloop of war followed and commenced an action, which was continued, often within hail, till by the same bravery with which the corvette was carried, the sloop, which had been before saved by the rapidity of the current alone, was compelled to sheer off with considerable damage in her hull.

The same morning, while the Pallas was lying at anchor, waiting for the boats, which did not return till the morning of the 9th, three ships were observed bearing down towards her, making many signals. They were soon perceived to be enemies. In a few minutes the anchor was weighed, and with the remainder of the officers and crew, his lordship drove on shore and wrecked one national ship of 24 guns, another of 22, and La Malicieuse, a beautiful corvette of 18.

It must excite the highest astonishment that the destruction and capture of these four ships, mounting 78 guns, was effected with scarcely any loss on the part of the Pallas, which had none killed, and only three men wounded.

The following month we find his lordship, with an activity equal to his enterprising spirit, engaged in harassing the enemy in a different