They found themselves confronted by English sailors with dirk and musket.

Sharp firing, shouts, curses, cries, made the night hideous for a few minutes, and then a ringing voice called out in French: "Surrender the vessels, and your lives shall be spared." It was Julian who cried these words at the command of the officer, and there was no resistance possible for the overpowered crew.

The soldiers were on shore within the fort.

They were but a handful of men in comparison with their English assailants.

It was impossible to dispute possession.
"Take to your boats and go ashore, and you shall not be molested," was the next cry; and the men were forced to obey, the fighting having lasted only a very brief space: for it was evident from the first that the English were masters, and needless carnage was not desired by them.
Nevertheless the peril to the English sailors was by no means over yet.