pierced the schooner's sails, and a few others fell near enough to dash the spray on board. As the smallest of the five or six privateers had, undoubtedly a larger number of men than the Active, any attempt by her to cut them out would have been madness in her commander. Probably the privateers were of opinion that the Néréide, who with her boats might easily have executed the service, would shortly make the attempt; for, in a few days afterwards, they took advantage of a clear coast, and made sail, each laden with a cargo of plunder. Nor was Lieutenant Fitton in a situation to intercept any one of these mischievous freebooters, the Active having sailed for Jamaica with the captain of the Néréide's despatches.

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