STO'B 41

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Philip hailed the Chasseur just as one of the Chasseur’s shot tore through the foretop shrouds and another slammed into her hull just below the main chains. Citoyen Pierre was lightly built, and she could not take much more of this. Nevertheless, she would last longer against the Chasseur’s guns than against the fortress, with its plunging fire and exploding shells, though to be true, the fort seemed to have left off for the moment. He saw Lieutenant Grey call for a speaking trumpet and put it to his ear. “Ahoy, the Chasseur,” Philip called again. “Lieutenant Grey, we have taken the snow. Cease fire!”

“Captain Fitton!” came Lieutenant Grey’s voice. “Is that you, sir?”

“Yes,” replied Philip. “What is your condition?”

“Seven men down, sir, one quarter gallery destroyed, several holes in the deck,” replied the lieutenant.

Philip could also see several cracked or leaning spars. A steady flow of water flowed from each of the forward scuppers, no doubt fed by pumps working to clear out water rushing in below. “Set a course for Pont du Chat. We must get out of range.”

“Yes, sir,” replied the lieutenant, saluting and giving the orders that would take the Chasseur out of the harbor. The Badger, observing the motions of the other two vessels, set a similar course, and soon all three vessels were leaving Arcades in their wake.

Author's Note|First Post|Previous|Next
GLOSSARY