About eight o'clock
It may easily be imagined that the French were very much annoyed at what had taken place ; their prizes re-captured , three boats lost , and their ship 's company weakened , and all by an inferior force close to them , and without any prospect of their having any revenge . But we , on the other hand , were not very pleasantly situated . It is true that we were safe , but , at the same time , we were in prison , and could not hope for escape , unless some vessel came down to our assistance ; and how long we might be compelled to remain where we were , or what the chapter of accidents might bring about , no one could foresee . About eight o'clock the French ship again stood in , and when as close as she dare come to us , she ran up and down , trying for deeper water on one side or the other , but in vain . She was within gun-shot of us , it is true , as we had run out into four fathoms ; but we could always trip our anchor when we pleased and stand further in . At last she tried a shot at us , and it fell very close . Captain Delmar did not , however , get under weigh and stand further in , although he ordered the capstern bars to be shipped , and the messenger passed .