been abandoned by the Psyché, then a short distance ahead. From the crew of the Thetis it was ascertained, that the other prize had been the Pigeon country-ship, but was now the Equivoque privateer, of 10 guns and 40 men, commanded by one of M. Bergeret's lieutenants.

Continuing the chase under all sail, the San-Fiorenzo, at 8 P.M., got within gun-shot of, and fired a bow-chaser at the Psyché, who returned it with two guns from her stern. In 10 minutes more the two frigates commenced a furious action, at the distance of about 100 yards, and continued hotly engaged until a few minutes before 9 P.M., when the Psyché fell on board the San-Fiorenzo. In about a quarter of an hour the Psyché got clear, and the cannonade was renewed with spirit, the Equivoque occasionally taking a part in it, to the no slight annoyance of the San-Fiorenzo. At about 9 h. 40 m. P.M. the latter shot away the Psyché's main yard, and the firing still continued with unabated fury. At 11 h. 30 m. P.M. the San-Fiorenzo hauled off to reeve new braces and repair her rigging. At midnight, being again ready, the latter bore up to renew the conflict ; but, just as the British frigate was about to reopen her broadside, a boat from the Psyché came on board with a message to Captain Lambert, stating that Captain Bergeret, out of humanity to the survivors of his crew, had struck, although he might have borne the contest longer.

Of her 253 men and boys on board, the San-Fiorenzo had one midshipman (Christopher H. B. Lefroy), eight seamen, one drummer, and two marines killed, and one lieutenant (William Dawson), her master (James Finlayson), one lieutenant of marines (Samuel Ashmore), one midshipman (Samuel Marsingal), 30 seamen, and two marines wounded ; total, 12 killed and 36 wounded. Severe as this loss was, that on board the Psyché was far more so. The latter ship had her second captain, two lieutenants, and 54 seamen and soldiers killed, and 70 officers, seamen, and soldiers wounded.

The San-Fiorenzo mounted, besides her 26 long 18-pounders on the main deck, 14 carronades, 32-pounders, and two long nines on the quarterdeck and forecastle, total 42 guns. Since her affair with the Wilhelmina, the Psyché had been purchased for the national navy by General Decaen, the governor of the Isle of France ; and Rear-admiral Linois had allowed the enterprising officer to whom she had belonged to continue in the command of her. Her 36 guns appear to have been the same that she mounted as a privateer, and will be found at a preceding page *

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