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meal, adding an extra allowance of Jamaica rum, to increase their appetite for the feast and the fray which was to follow. At half-past ten the flotilla weighed anchor, and bore down upon Jones? squadron in open order, forming a line abreast extending nearly from the mainland to the Malheureux Island. The appearance of the flotilla, as the barges with unbroken front swept rapidly and boldly forward?the six oars on each side dipping in the water with the regularity of clock-work and glittering in the sunbeams as they rose and fell?the red shirts of the sailors, the shining muskets of the marines, and the formidable car-ronades which protruded so threateningly from the bows of the barges, constituted an impressive spectacle, one well calculated to try the nerves of that heroic band which stood on the decks of those little sloops, with lighted matches and muskets cocked, ready to meet more than quadruple their numbers in deadly combat.
?So calm and quiet was the aspect of Jones? fleet that the British believed they were about to surrender without essaying so vaiii a resistance against an overpowering force. But they were soon aroused from this delusion by the booming of McKeever?s thirty-two pounder and a shower of grape-shot that carried destruction among the flotilla and seriously disturbed their line. With amazing rapidity this gun continued her fire, and presently the other guns of Jones? fleet joined in. The barges, though evidently crippled and damaged by this heavy fire, pushed steadily forward and began a lively response with their carronades. A brisk firing was continued lor some time; but Lockyer soon perceived that in such a contest the gun-boats had the advantage and accordingly, he ordered the barges to close in and board.
?Owing to the force of the current and the unmanageable state of the boats, Jones? and Ulrich?s vessels (156 and 163) had been borne out of the line one hundred yards in advance of the others?Jones? boat was a little ahead. Captain Lockyer seeing this, determined to attack the boats in detail. Breaking this flotilla into three divisions he pressed forward with the advance, composed of four barges and two gigs, against the flat boat. He was met by a most destructive volley of grape and musketry. Every shot appeared to take effect. Two of the barges were capsized and the men were barely saved from drowning by clinging to the boat?s sides until others could come up and rescue them. Nearly all the men on board these barges were killed or wounded. Undismayed by this awful destruction, four other barges pushed forward and renewed the attack and, getting near