The Diamond then crowded all sail, and, notwithstanding her perilous situation, got clear away in broad daylight, and before mid-day joined her consort, the Arethusa.
This happened in the month of January; and, during the two following months, the Diamond and Arethusa took several valuable prizes. In one, in the month of March, Lieutenant O’Loughlin was sent to England with despatches, whilst the Diamond proceeded to cruise along the French coast.
About the middle of April, Sir Sidney stood in, and came to an anchor in the outer road of Havre. He was induced to do so from our hero having caught sight, during the previous night, of a large lugger creeping along shore, evidently intending to make Havre.
Lieutenant Thornton fancied that this large lugger might be his old antagonist, the Vengeance, which belonged to that port; they had heard from the captain of an English brig, some days before, that a French privateer, lugger-rigged, and full of men, had captured a large Sunderland barque, and, after plundering her, had tried to scuttle her; but, seeing an armed brig and two cutters coming up from the westward, had made sail. Luckily, the crew of the barque contrived to stop the leaks, and steered for the nearest port.
It was about an hour after sun-rise when the Diamond anchored, and at once Lieutenant Thornton made out the lugger at anchor in the inner road.
“Do you think it is the Vengeance?” said the Commander of the Diamond to our hero, who was regarding her with his glass.
“I’ll swear to her,” said the Lieutenant; “she has a new main-mast and main lug, and a new mizen mast, and I know we knocked the old one out and damaged her mizen.”
“Then I will cut her out,” said Sir Sidney, “to-night. I wish O’Loughlin was here; however I will take the command of the boats myself; you shall lead with the launch, into which I will put an 18-pounder carronade.”[5]
It is rather unusual for a commander, on such an occasion, to take the command of the boats; but Sir Sidney had a gallant and daring spirit.
The second Lieutenant was therefore left with the master, who was a most excellent pilot, to take charge of the frigate.