In the present darkness we could do nothing to help them; for even if we could have lowered the guns enough to cover them, our shot might have hurt them more than the enemy.
Our only hope was in the faint glow of dawn on the horizon, and the prospect, in a few minutes, of sufficient daylight to work by.
Meanwhile we loaded, and reconnoitred the fort, in readiness for the moment of action.
Day came at last, and showed us the _Diana_ with the two French ships close-hauled, trying to keep their weather-gage.

Our men ashore were still hemmed in between the fort and the troops, who, now we came to look at them, were posted in force behind some earthworks which commanded the passage from the shore to the fort.

One of our boats was stove in, and the other was in the hands of the enemy.
Without a glass it was hard to read the signals on the _Diana_; but she must have noticed that the French flag on the fort was down, for we saw her set her sails and prepare to meet her two assailants in the open.
If she could only get the weather-gage, we would startle the Frenchmen in a way which would amaze them.
As for our own fellows ashore, a pounding shot from one of our guns, which we contrived to lower sufficiently to command the earthworks, soon apprised them what was in the wind, and with a rush they made for the now friendly fort.

The enemy followed, but too slowly to prevent their entrance.

The few shots they sent were wild and high.