Were the colours hoisted union down by the enemy; or, at any time, by Captain Ferris's orders?
By the enemy.
Did the boats come before or after the colours were hoisted union downwards, to render her assistance?
The boats from our ships did not get near us till after we were in possession of the enemy; and I called to an old shipmate of mine in the Venerable's barge, and told him so, as he came under the starboard quarter; but he persisted in coming on board, and was taken.
What boats were taken; and what boats escaped?
A good many were taken. The Venerable's barge and her first lieutenant; and another lieutenant, in the Cæsar's boat, of some ship lying at Gibraltar; beside the mids. I am not aware indeed that any escaped.
What French officer took possession of the Hannibal?
I am not quite certain whether it was the captain of the Formidable or the Dessaix; they were both very close to us: however, he was a very little fellow.
To what prison were you taken?
The ship's company were divided into two prisons, which appeared to have been stables. There was no water in one of them, and the distress of our poor fellows, on that account, was truly shocking: often, when they would give money to the people outside to bring them some to drink, they would walk off with it, and never bring the water.