Three of our men fell, and several others were wounded, mostly by the splinters which flew about the deck. None of our spars, however, were shot away. Before she could again keep before the wind the whole of our starboard broadside was poured into her. It was better aimed even than hers. The sound of the shrieks and cries rising from her deck told us of its fearful effects. Still her colours were flying. Again keeping before the wind, she stood on, blazing away at us from two long guns in her stern. The loss of her mizen told on her sailing. Slowly but surely we got nearer and nearer. "Shall we not soon be up with her?" I asked Nettleship; for it was trying work to be peppered at without being able to return more than a single shot occasionally. "As surely as the sun sets and rises again, unless she knocks away one of our masts, or brings down our main or fore-yard; and then it's possible that she may get off after all." "I made sure we should have her before many minutes were over," I observed. I remarked the eager countenances of the men as they stood at their guns, expecting every moment the order to fire. It came at last. Once more we kept away. "Give it them now!" cried the captain, and every gun sent forth a sheet of flame. Our shot told with fearful effect on the enemy's deck. There seemed to be confusion on board, and then a man was seen to spring aft, and down came the colours. A cheer rose from our men at the sight. We stood on, however, till we were close enough to hail, when the captain ordered through the speaking-trumpet the Frenchman to heave to, threatening to fire another broadside if he failed to do so. The order was obeyed; and we also having hove-to, a boat was lowered to send on board and take possession. Mr Bramston went in her, and I accompanied him. On reaching the deck of the prize, a glance showed me the fearful damage our guns had produced. In all directions lay numbers of dead seamen, the deck slippery with gore. The bulwarks were shattered, two of the boats knocked to pieces, and the ship was otherwise severely damaged. A lieutenant stepped up to us. "My captain lies there," he said, and he pointed to a body concealed beneath a flag; "another of my brother officers is killed, the rest are wounded, and I alone am unhurt." Mr Bramston complimented him on his bravery, and told him to prepare for going on board the frigate. Meantime other boats came alongside and removed the crew of the prize, which proved to be the _Soleil_ carrying eighteen guns and six carronades, with a crew of one hundred and eighty men, upwards of thirty of whom were killed or wounded. Mr Bramston sent me back with this information. The captain at once decided to remove the prisoners, and send the prize to Port Royal. As no time was to be lost, the boats were lowered, and the prisoners soon brought on board. The captain at once sent for Nettleship, Tom, and me.