but not so as to be able to hinder us from approaching the land to keep up an intercourse with the garrison. On this service (as on every other) Captain Bowen eminently distinguished himself, having anchored the Terpsichore, within a short distance of the fort, in a bay under Houelmont. On the 25th the Quebec, Captain Rogers, Beaulieu, Captain Riou, and Zebra, Captain Vaughan, arrived from a cruise. The enemy now increased their forces daily in this part of the island, pressing into their service all the negroes who were on the different estates; and if from timidity or any other cause they demurred, they were instantly shot: from the ship we saw them firing on some negroes of their own, who, from fear, were endeavouring to get off. On the night of the 26th, Lieutenant James, with a party of seamen, marched out of the fort to the military hospital, which he set on fire, being a place that the enemy would soon have made a considerable post against us. On the 29th, the Boyne, as usual sailing towards the fort, was becalmed by the high land of Houelmont, and being within a short distance, was cannonaded from that battery for several hours. From the height of its situation none of our guns could be brought to bear against it; however, after considerable danger, the ship got out of the bay without any damage. On the 5th of November, the enemy opened ten batteries against the fort at the same instant, and a party of them, with a field-piece, under cover of the night, had taken post on the brow of the hill under which the Terpsichore and Experiment were anchored. As soon as the seamen were arranged at day-break, to wash the decks as usual, they were surprised by a heavy shower of musketry from over their heads. The Experiment endeavoured to get away, but being totally becalmed, it was some time before she could accomplish it. (Captain Miller had gone on board the Vanguard, and Captain Skynner was then in the Boyne, receiving his commission.[72]) Captain Bowen, with a presence of mind that never forsook him, ordered up all the muskets that could be procured, and, encouraging his men with great spirit and some effect, returned the fire of the enemy, who now brought their field-piece to bear on the ship; he was therefore obliged to weigh anchor, and get out of the bay as well as he could, his great guns being totally useless from the elevated situation of the enemy: two or three only of our people were wounded, though the deck was studded with musket-balls. The fort[73] was now closely invested by land; by the sea a communication was continued the whole siege, Captain Bowen, in the Terpsichore, never relaxing for a moment in his exertions to serve and assist the garrison. The water in the tank being bad (the enemy having cut off the aqueduct that supplied it), General Prescott ordered an armed party every morning and evening to the river Galion, to protect those sent thither for water. This was