Some engagements which took place between frigates were of little importance, but glorious for both sides.

On the 6th of October, the _Surveillante,_ commanded by Chevalier du Couedic, had a tussle with the _Quebec;_ the broadsides were incessant, a hail of lead fell upon both ships, the majority of the officers of the _Surveillante_ were killed or wounded.

Du Couedic had been struck twice on the head.

A fresh wound took him in the stomach; streaming with blood, he remained at his post and directed the fight.
The three masts of the _Surveillante_ had just fallen, knocked to pieces by balls, the whole rigging of the _Quebec_ at the same moment came down with a run.

The two ships could no longer manoeuvre, the decimated crews were preparing to board, when a thick smoke shot up all at once from the between-decks of the _Quebec;_ the fire spread with unheard of rapidity; the _Surveillante,_ already hooked on to her enemy's side, was on the point of becoming, like her, a prey to the flames, but her commander, gasping as he was and scarcely alive, got her loose by a miracle of ability.