1811	Light Squadrons and Single Ships	16

boat had brought off. The boats of the Clorinde and Néréide, appear to have been captured. The three French frigates now tacked and stood to the eastward, followed by the two British frigates and brig-sloop. At 3 P. M, the French hoisted their colours, and the British soon afterwards did the same. At sunset the French squadron bore south-east of the British, distant about three leagues, the wind a moderate breeze from the same quarter.

On the 8th, at 4 p.m., the distance between the two hostile squadrons was distinguished to six or seven miles; and at 8 p.m. the French frigates bore up, and, with a light air of wind, stood towards the Phoebe and Galatea. These, with the Racehorse, shortly afterwards wore and steered to the westward, in the direction of Isle Ronde, then distant five or six leagues. Wishing, with the odds against him, to have a commanding breeze to man�uvre with, and expecting every moment to be joined by the Astrea from Port-Louis, Captain Hillyar rather avoided than sought an engagement ; and towards evening, when the two squadrons were scarcely five miles apart, Commodore Roquebert, considering it, as he states, unsafe to follow the British ships into the current that runs between Isle Ronde and Isle Serpent, discontinued the chase and hauled up to the eastward.

On the 9th, at daylight, the two squadrons regained a distant sight of each other ; but, the Phoebe and Galatea bearing up about noon to join the Astrea, the French ships disappeared. The three British frigates then steered for Port-Louis, and on the 12th came to an anchor off the harbour. It appears that, at one period, while the two squadrons, before the junction of the Astrea, were in the presence of each other, the ship's company of the Galatea went aft and requested their captain to bring the enemy to action. In order to concert with his senior officer upon that or some other subject, Captain Losack went on board the Phoebe ; and, on his return, the crew of the Galatea, supposing them wishes were about to be gratified, gave him three cheers.

Commodore Roquebert reduced the crews of his ships to two thirds allowance of provisions, and resolved to attempt a surprise upon some post on the windward side of Isle Bourbon. Having, by the 11th, passed 20 leagues to windward of the Isle of France, the three French frigates bore up for Isle Bourbon, and on the same night made the land. The boats of the squadron, having on board a division of the troops, attempted to disembark at a post that was known to be weakly manned, but were prevented by the heavy surf. Thus disappointed, the French Commodore stood across to the coast of Madagascar, to endeavour to obtain a supply of provisions. On the 19th the ships made the isle of Prunes, and the same evening surprised the small settlement of Tamatave, in Madagascar ; the garrison of which consisted of about 100 officers and men of the 22d

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