Macrae had lost so many of his crew, that, giving up all hope of assistance from Kirby, he determined to run his ship ashore.

The _Fancy_, which drew less water, followed with the intention of boarding, but got aground within pistol-shot, with her bows towards the _Cassandra's_ broadside, and the action recommenced hotter than ever.

There the two ships lay, both fast aground, pelting each other furiously, till the crew of the _Fancy_, finding the _Cassandra's_ fire too hot for them, left their guns and ran below.

Had Kirby come to his assistance at this moment, Macrae's triumph would have been assured; but this was the moment chosen by Kirby to bear up and shape his course for Bombay.

England in the _Victory_, seeing that the _Greenwich_ might be disregarded, sent three boats full of men to reinforce the _Fancy_; by which time there had been so many killed and wounded on board the _Cassandra_, that the crew, losing heart, refused to fight the ship any longer.