1810	Light Squadrons and Single Ships	282

and at night boats rowed guard between the frigate and the enemy. The only time, indeed, when any attack could be made, was with the land wind in the morning, just at the first peep of twilight. All eyes on board the Néréide, and at the island, were then directed to the north-west, and were only relieved when broad day burst forth, and the sea breeze was heard murmuring in the south-east.

At 9 A.M. on the 21st, the boat with the flag of truce again left the Néréide and returned soon afterwards with such an answer as might have been expected : both the governor and the commodore were surprised at " so extraordinary a demand." Neither this demand, nor the circumstance which led to it, are touched upon in Captain Duperré's letter. He perhaps was ashamed to acknowledge, that the Victor had hauled down her colours ; and yet of the fact there cannot be a doubt. We gather from the French commodore's letter, that, when he saw the British colours hoisted at Isle de la Passe, and a fire opened upon the corvette, he considered that the whole windward side of the Isle of France was in the possession of the English, and ; hauling off, made a signal to do the same to the Minerve and Ceylon ; but they had already entered the channel and could not put back. M. Duperré then resolved to force the passage, and ordered the Windham to follow the Bellone ; but her prize master either misunderstood the signal, or considered the risk too great, and bore away for Rivière-Noire. We will now detail occurrences there, in order to lead progressively to the important operations of which we shall soon have to give an account.

Early on the morning of the 21st, just as the Windham was about to enter Rivière-Noire. the Sirius, then cruising to the south-west of Port-Louis, gained sight of her. Chase was instantly given : but the wind being off the land, the Sirius had no chance of cutting off the Indiaman from the formidable batteries at the mouth of the river. Not considering the vessel, in the twilight of the morning, to be of the force she really was, Lieutenant Watling volunteered to overtake and board her with the gig. He instantly pushed off with five seamen, and was followed by the jollyboat with midshipman John Andrews and four men ; but, owing to some strange mismanagement, not a weapon or fire-arm of any description was put into either boat.

Daybreak discovered a ship of 800 or 900 tons, armed apparently with from 30 to 34 guns, at the distance of at least three miles from the Sirius, and very near to the batteries of Rivière-Noire. Under these circumstances, Lieutenant Watling thought it best to wait for the jollyboat. In the mean time the Sirius fired a broadside at the ship, but at so ineffectual a distance, that the shot nearly sank the gig. On the arrival of the jollyboat, young Andrews and his four hands entered cheerfully into Lieutenant Watling's views, and the two boats hastened forward.

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