CRITICAL POSITION. 213 



The " Revolutionnaire " was the inshore 

 look-out frigate, and the captain had 

 brought her to anchor almost within 

 gun-shot of the French squadron, while 

 he in the barge went to make a further 

 reconnoissance. This was early in the 

 morning ; when, some few hours later, 

 the boat was observed pulling towards 

 the ship, with three or four others of 

 the enemy in pursuit, and a large ship 

 under sail, bearing down and firing her 

 bow-chasers. 



It was evident that the frigate was 

 in imminent danger of being taken if 

 she remained at anchor, and of the 

 captain's being cut off in his boat if 

 she did not. In this fix the first- 

 lieutenant, knowing the sailing qualities 

 of his ship, as well as the quality of 

 his men, determined not to sacrifice his 

 captain ; he therefore held hard, manned 

 tacks and sheets, jib and staysail hawl- 

 yards, &c. 3 a man at the hawse-hole 



