Having taken out every unprotected man, they distributed convoy signals in lieu, and half a dozen more guns announced that they were to make sail--an order immediately complied with: the merchant vessels, loaded with canvas below and aloft, while the men-of-war, with their topsails on the caps, sailed round and round them, firing shot at every unfortunate vessel which was not able to sail as well as the rest.
The convoy left Falmouth, seventy-five in number but in a few days there were but forty in sight.

Those who remained behind either made their voyage how they could, or were taken by the enemy's privateers, who followed in the wake of the convoy.

Some few were carried into the French ports; and the underwriters of the policy ate but little dinner on the day which brought the intelligence of their capture.

Others were retaken by the English blockading squadrons, who received then one-eighth for salvage.

At last the men-of-war were fairly running down the traders, with about twenty-five of the best sailers in company: and the commodore deemed it advisable to take particular care of the few which remained, lest he should be _"hauled over the coals_" by the Admiralty.