1810	Captain Willoughby at Jacolet	267

evidently a ship of war, and was supposed to be a corvette. The Néréide in working up to the spot, discharged several broadsides at the French ship, and received in return a fire from the neighbouring batteries, but neither sustained, nor, it is believed, inflicted any injury. Instead of being a corvette, this ship was a fine French frigate of 1085 tons, the Astrée, already mentioned as having quitted Cherbourg in company with the Néréide a frigate of the same force. Having been, as soon as he made the south-west point of the island, apprized by signal, that a British force was cruising off Port-Louis, Captain Breton had put into Rivière-Noire and moored the Astrée in the manner above stated.

On the 30th, while the British frigate Néréide was reconnoitring the coast of this part of the island, a large merchant ship was discovered lying at the anchorage of Jacolet, within pistol-shot of two batteries, which commanded the entrance to the harbour. Notwithstanding these obstacles, having on board an excellent pilot, one of the black inhabitants of the Isle of France, Captain Willoughby resolved to attempt cutting the ship out. For this purpose be embarked in the boats at midnight, taking with him Lieutenants John Burns, Thomas Lamb Polden Laugharne, and Henry Collins Deacon, and Lieutenants of marines Thomas S. Cox and Thomas Henry William Desbrisay, together with 50 seamen and the same number of marines.

Having with much difficulty found and entered the narrow and intricate passage into the anchorage, Captain Willoughby had just reached the only feasible spot for effecting a landing, and even there the surf was half filling the boats, when the French national schooner Estafette, of four brass 4-pounders and 14 men, commanded by Enseigne de vaisseau Henri Chauvin, and lying at an anchor close abreast of the battery on the left, shouted, and gave the alarm. Both batteries, assisted by two field-pieces, immediately played upon the spot on which the British were landing ; and, no sooner had the latter formed on the beach, than they became also exposed to a heavy fire of musketry. As every officer had already received his orders, the whole party was instantly upon the run, and in 10 minutes got possession of the nearest battery mounting two long 12-pounders.

Having spiked the guns, Captain Willoughby and his men marched towards the guard-house in the rear ; which was protected by two 6-pounder field-pieces, 40 troops of the 18th regiment of the line, 26 artillerymen, and a strong detachment of militia. This party, while the seamen and marines were taking the battery, had attacked the small division of men left in charge of the boats, and had driven them and their boats into the centre of the harbour. The same party now opened a fire upon the British main body. This was the signal for the seamen and marines to charge. Captain Willoughby and his brave followers

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