showed more than that number still on board ; many of whom were dangerously ill, and none strong enough to be useful at quarters. Moreover, she was then in sight of the very spot on which the Spanish fleet had been cruising only two days previous ; and a small Spanish vessel, apparently a tender, was at this very time passing in the direction of Carthagena, the port to which the fleet belonged. Under all the circumstances, therefore, Captain Bowen could hardly flatter himself with bringing off, either the enemy's frigate if captured, or his own if disabled. To fly, however, was not to be borne ; and the Terpsichore continued standing on, without any alteration in her course.

At 9 h. 30 m. the Spanish 12-pounder 34-gun frigate Mahonesa, Captain Don Tomas Ayaldi, having approached within hail of the Terpsichore, hauled to the wind on the latter's weather beam. This being apparently done in order to place herself to advantage, the Terpsichore, whose position was then tolerably good, fired one gun as a trier of her opponent's intention. It was instantaneously returned by a whole broadside, and the action proceeded with mutual spirit. After a while the Spanish crew began to slacken their exertions ; and at the end of one hour and 20 minutes, the Mahonesa tried to make off. By this time the Terpsichore had had her three lower masts and bowsprit wounded, her spare spars and boats shot through, two of her anchors disabled, and her rigging and sails much cut. In the course of 20 minutes, however, by characteristic alacrity in refitting and making sail, the British frigate was again close alongside of her antagonist, with every gun well charged and pointed ; when the Mahonesa, whose booms had fallen down and disabled her waist-guns, and who was altogether in a crippled and defenceless state, hauled down her colours.

Out of her 182 men and boys, the Terpsichore lost none in killed, and but four in wounded : whereas the Mahonesa, out of her 275 in complement, had 30 killed, and the same number wounded, a portion of them mortally.

Both frigates mounted guns of the same nominal caliber, and of the number, 32 and 34, expressed by their respective rates. Admitting, therefore, the Terpsichore to have had her full complement at quarters, we should pronounce this to be as fair a match as an English officer would wish to fight, or an English writer to record. Nothing is more truly characteristic of a brave man, than promptitude in doing justice to the efforts of an unsuccessful enemy. Captain Bowen, in his official letter, dwells with emphasis, on the zeal, courage, and good conduct of Don Tomas Ayaldi, the commander of the Mahonesa. He declares that this officer, although, towards the last, he could rally but few of his men, persevered to defend his ship, longer almost than was justifiable.

Notwithstanding; the crippled state of the Mahonesa's masts, which had been left with scarcely a shroud to support them,