Such was their earnestness, and such the implicit confidence which could be placed in Spanish honour, that the offer was accepted and they were actually stationed at the lower-deck guns.

Dumanoir and his squadron were not more fortunate than the fleet from whose destruction they fled.

They fell in with Sir Richard Strachan, who was cruising for the Rochefort squadron, and were all taken.

In the better days of France, if such a crime could then have been committed, it would have received an exemplary punishment from the French government.

Under Buonaparte it was sure of impunity, and perhaps might be thought deserving of reward.