As soon as all was ready, the mainsail was furled, and the ship kept under easy sail.
Before long the two smaller ships came up, hoisted the red flag, and began firing, one on the _Caesar's_ quarter and one astern.

Soon the three other ships, two of which Wright styled the Admiral and Vice-Admiral, came up.

The Admiral ranged up on the quarter and tried to board, but was obliged to sheer off, with the loss of many men and a bowsprit shot away.

The Vice-Admiral tried to board at the bow, but with no better success, losing a foreyard and mizzen-mast.

For five hours the engagement lasted, but the small-arm men in the _Caesar's_ tops fired so well that the pirates could hardly serve their guns.