who deeply regretted what had taken place, to give him the command of la Nereide, although he had many old followers whom he wished to serve, and a Commander was also under his orders who had been directed to receive the first Admiralty vacancy. Vice-Admiral Bertie did more; for on Captain Willoughby assuming the command of la Nereide he allowed a large proportion of the Otter’s best men, who volunteered, to accompany him. We shall presently have an opportunity of shewing how highly he admired, and how duly he appreciated the subsequent daring conduct of an officer who had first embarked as a midshipman under his command.
On the 14th Aug. 1809, Captain Willoughby, then cruising in the Otter off Cape Brabant, Isle of France, discovered a brig, a lugger, and a gun-boat, at anchor under the protection of the batteries of Black River. The brig had recently arrived from France with a cargo, and the lugger was also a merchantman: thinking it practicable, notwithstanding the immense strength of the Batteries, to cut out these vessels, he resolved to make the desperate attempt that same night. In the mean time, to prevent suspicion, the Otter bore away for Bourbon until dark; then hauled up and worked back to the vicinity of Black River. At 11-30 P.M., being close enough in, Captain Willoughby pushed off in his gig, accompanied by Lieutenant John Burn in the yawl, and Mr. William Weiss, midshipman, in the jolly-boat. The plan arranged was, for the gig, supported by the other two boats, to carry the gun-vessel; the yawl was then to secure the brig, and the jolly-boat the lugger.
Favored by the darkness, the three boats got into the harbour unperceived; and having from the same cause, and the silence of the enemy, missed the gun-vessel, they pulled alongside of and captured the lugger. After securing her. Captain Willoughby detached the yawl and jolly-boat to board the brig, and then proceeded himself in search of the armed vessel. Lieutenant Burn soon got along side the brig, and found a body of soldiers drawn up on deck to defend her. In the face of a heavy fire of musketry from them, the British boarded, and after a smart struggle carried her. The
