D'Estaing, seizing a favourable wind, pushed out again, and formed in line, with the evident resolution of hazarding a battle. After two days of able manœuvring on the part of Lord Howe to gain the wind, which was thwarted by adverse circumstances, he quietly awaited the enemy's attack. Just on the eve of conflict, Neptune interposed, and scattered the hostile fleets. This produced some single actions, in which English valour uniformly triumphed against powerful superiority, but was rendered unavailing in every instance, by the contingencies of fortune. The gallantry of Dawson, Hotham, and Raynor will appear indelible upon our Naval annals, as well as the bravery of those Seamen and Marines who so nobly seconded them. The French Fleet, after recovering from the storm, again peeped into Rhode Island, from whence the rebels had retreated in confusion. It gladly took refuge in Boston, whither Lord Howe followed it, but durst not attempt so strong a position. Thus D'Estaing gained but little from his system of surprize. He was a fit agent to have executed the insidious schemes of his Court, when we recollect his breach of parole in the East, which would have made him the sanctioned victim to a halter, if he had fallen within our power. The appearance of a new and natural foe seemed to revive in every breast the flame of patriotism. At no period of our national existence did the English character appear more great. The Commercial Sailor vied with his Majesty's servants in the Fleet and Army in this noble and emulous zeal. Admiral Byron having sailed from England in the beginning of June, reached the American coast with his fleet, but in a detached and shattered state. An evil planet seemed to rule over all his destinies, and his good fortune fell much short of his merit. Lord Howe having resigned the Naval command to that Officer, he proceeded off Boston, after having repaired all damages, from which he was driven to Rhode Island by a heavy gale that proved fatal to some of his ships. Of this D'Estaing took occasion to slip out, and with a powerful force aimed his future efforts against our West India islands. Thither Commodore Hotham was detached with ten regiments, under General Grant, who joined Admiral Barrington at Barbadoes on the 10th of December, and on the 12th proceeded against St. Lucia. Here the army landed, while the squadron anchored in the Cul de Sac, where some Seamen and Marines were disembarked to man the batteries on each side of the harbour. D'Estaing, who had reached Martinique, sailed also to realize his plans of conquest; but hearing of the descent upon St. Lucia, he resolved upon relieving it. The attempt was fruitless, but it yielded the display of much obstinate valour on both sides. The French were completely beaten, and the island fell.