At the moment when the boats were pulling up the narrow channel, with the prize praam in tow, and their capture appeared inevitable, it was observed that the French commodore, M. Duperré, instead of following la Minerve, &c., had hauled off on the larboard tack, as if intending to seek another port, in company with the Windham. Although in only a 12-pounder frigate, with so many of his men absent, Captain Willoughby thought his ship a match for the Minerve, Victor, and Ceylon, particularly if he embarked the 34 serviceable soldiers remaining upon l’Isle de la Passe; but just as he was about to slip his cable for the purpose of attacking them, his sails already loose, la Bellone bore up for the harbour, thereby compelling him to abandon his design, and prepare to receive a fresh antagonist[1].
At 4 P.M., Captain Willoughby sent Lieutenant Deacon, in the launch, with a note for the senior officer off Port Louis, or any other captain of the blockading squadron he could first meet with, announcing the arrival of the enemy, and volunteering, if reinforced by a single frigate, to lead in and attack them; as he knew the passage well, and had sounded every part of it.
At 4-30 P.M., the cutter, with Mr. William Weiss, was sent upon the same errand; but at sun-set she returned , not having been able to pull ahead on account of the fresh breeze and rough sea. It may naturally be asked, why Captain Willoughby, considering how exposed he lay to an attack by two heavy French frigates and a corvette, did not get under weigh and proceed to join the Sirius, instead of lessening his means of defence, by thus despatching two officers and as many boats’ crews. The truth is, that as he had been ordered to protect l’Isle de la Passe, he was resolved to defend that newly acquired post as long as he was able; and at the same time, his anxiety for the safety of the British frigates off Port Louis, determined him rather to subject himself to the imputation of rashness, than endanger them by allowing Mons. Duperré to come out unopposed, and form a junction with the other French squadron, which would doubtless be ready to start
- ↑ James, v. 408.
