The whole scene reminded me of the tournaments I had read of; it was a challenge in the lists, only that the enemy were two to one; a fair acknowledgment on their parts of our superiority.

In about an hour we closed so near, that the French frigates made sail and commenced firing.

We reserved our fire until within a quarter of a mile, when we poured our broadside into the headmost frigate, exchanging with her on opposite tacks.

The _Sea-horse_, who followed, also gave her a broadside.

In this way we exchanged broadsides with the whole four, and we had the best of it, for they could not load so fast as we could.