Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p2.djvu/427

 we determined to keep between them and the enemy (who had not shown any colours, nor altered their course to chase the Acheron when reconnoitring them ,) for the purpose of collecting the vessels of the convoy, having guns on board, and to form a line of battle as soon as possible, agreeably to an order and form previously given out to the armed vessels of the convoy. At this time the enemy were about five miles from us. At 5, the convoy all becalmed, bearing N.W. by W. 3 miles: the land between Cape Albatel and Cape Tennis S.S.W. ½ W. 11 leagues. From this time until 10, light airs and calms; ship’s head round the compass; when it sprung up a light breeze from the S.W., the body of the convoy W.N.W. 4 miles, the frigates N.N.E, 3 miles. Steered for the convoy, but the Acheron having increased her distance to the southward, I tacked again to close her, hailed Captain Farquhar to keep close to the Arrow, and shortened sail to her rate of sailing. At midnight, light breezes from the S.W. laying up W.N.W. but broke off gradually to north. About 3 A.M. passed the two sternmost brigs of the convoy, to leeward of which the enemy had passed without firing at, or taking any notice of them. At 3-45, perceived that one of the frigates had tacked, and was nearing us on the starboard tack. About 4-15, one of them hailed me in English, when I asked ‘what ship it was?’ and was answered by desiring me to hoist my boat out, and come on board. A few minutes after she was nailed by the Acheron, when the frigate opened her fire, which was immediately returned by the Arrow and Acheron, until she passed: the other frigate, by the light baffling winds, had been somewhat separated, but soon closed, passed under our lee, and went a-head of us: however, the Acheron fired several guns at one of them with effect. As