Thus, life in these merchant ships, although well rewarded, was at any time during those long years of hostilities liable suddenly to become most exciting. Ships and men were sent to the bottom or taken captive, but the service went on. Lest the reader should imagine these incidents isolated events, let the following be related. On May 2, 1809, a small squadron of homeward-bound Indiamen had cleared the Sandheads of Bengal River, escorted by H.M. sloop _Victor_. After three weeks the latter, in dark and squally weather of the night of the 24th, parted company. By the 30th, owing to stress of weather, two ships had left the convoy, and there now remained only the _Streatham_, _Europe_ and _Lord Keith_ in company. The first two were 820-ton craft; the third was a vessel of 600 tons. The first two carried thirty guns apiece; the _Lord Keith_ had not more than twelve. At five-thirty on the morning of May 31, when in Lat. 9° 15’ N., Long. 90° 30’ E., these three were on the starboard tack with the wind S.W. by S. when a strange ship was seen seven miles off to the west of south. This was the French 40-gun frigate _Caroline_, which mounted forty-six guns in addition to her swivels. She had been cruising off the Sandheads and had captured a few ships. Subsequently she had learned from an American ship, the _Silenus_, which had sailed from the Sandheads, of the number and probable route of the Indiamen. But when first sighted the _Caroline_ was taken by the Indiamen for the _Victor_. _Streatham_, being the senior ship, made the private signal about 6 a.m., but having got no answer from the Frenchman, signalled the other two to form into line, _Lord Keith_ leading, followed by _Streatham_ and _Europe_, but the two last mentioned were a considerable distance apart. Half an hour later the _Caroline_ hoisted colours and attacked _Europe_, who quickly returned the fire. At the end of half an hour the latter was disabled. Most of her guns were put out of action, yards, foremast, sails and rigging cut to pieces and hull damaged in several places. And then the enemy raked her from forward and proceeded to deal with _Streatham_, which by eight o’clock was so utterly crippled that she had to lower colours. Meanwhile _Lord Keith_ and _Europe_ had been firing at _Caroline_, who now recommenced the action with the last mentioned. Presently _Europe_ closed _Streatham_, but on learning that the latter had surrendered, and that _Lord Keith_ had escaped, running before the wind, also determined to up helm. Then _Caroline_, after securing _Streatham_, went in chase and captured _Europe_. On account of the leaking condition which the two prizes were now in, it took three days to get them in a seaworthy condition, but on July 22, with their valuable cargoes, they were brought by _Caroline_ and anchored in the Bay of St. Paul, Isle of Bourbon. It had been a heavy loss to the East India Company, though the