still greater merit to have performed the act by a vessel decidedly inferior in force ; in men nearly double, in guns at least equal. If any thing can be said in addition, it is that the chase was persevered in during three nights, and until the afternoon of the third day, and that it was maintained, for the greater part of the time, by sweeping ; a service fatiguing to the men and harassing to the officers, the latter being obliged to be perpetually animating the former, lest they should relax in their exertions : it was also a mode of progression in which the privateer, from the increased number of her crew, possessed an immense advantage.

Unfortunately for Lieutenant Fitton, having been on deck during the whole three nights, he was too wearied to undertake the task of writing the official letter, although kindly requested-to do so by Captain Nicolas. The following extract from the letter of Rear-admiral Dacres to the secretary of the admiralty, enclosing the one received from Captain Nicolas, will show what, even from the latter's report, the former thought of the action between the Pitt and Superbe. " The zeal and perseverance manifested on this occasion, during so long a chase (being upwards of 50 hours at their sweeps with only two thirds the number of men the privateer had), the very gallant conduct of, and superior professional abilities displayed by, Mr. Fitton, will, I trust, recommend him to the protection of their lordships. "

M. Dominique afterwards equipped a brig, which he named "la Revanche de la Superbe," and actually sent, by a Spanish licensed trader, an invitation to Lieutenant Fitton to meet him at an appointed place ; but the latter, by the time the message reached him, had been superseded in the command of the Pitt by the �l�ve of an admiral, not to be promoted to the rank of commander, but to be turned adrift as an unemployed lieutenant.

On the 20th of November the British 12-pounder 32-gun frigate Success, Captain John Ayscougb, standing in for the land to the eastward of Cumberland harbour, island of Cuba, observed a small felucca running into Hidden Port, and immediately despatched in pursuit of her the yawl and barge, under the command of Lieutenant William Duke, assisted by Lieutenant Charles Spence, acting Lieutenant Dowell O'Reilly, and master's mate William Rand Hughes.

On the approach of the boats it was discovered that the crew of the felucca, about 50 in number, had landed with their small arms and their only long gun, and, having lashed their vessel to the trees, had taken post upon a neighbouring hill. From this eminence, the Spaniards fired with grape and musketry, in the most determined manner upon the boats as they advanced, and at the first volley killed Lieutenant Duke. After a vain attempt, for an hour and 20 minutes, to dislodge the privateersmen from the hill, Lieutenant Spence, with the additional loss Of seven wounded, including Lieutenant O'Reilly, found himself

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