The frigate sailed very skewed to nearly ten knots, between the Atlantic swell. The English ship was seen increasingly bigger, and its port side threatened to three rows of portholes open: the guns were ready to shoot. All the glasses of the Valeur pointed to the enemy ship, watching the frantic bustle of the gunners and the smoke of safety fuses. Lezo was clinging to the mizzen staysail, calculating the time they would receive the barrage. Precipitation expected the enemy to see the frigate hit them, receiving little damage and the windward approach their favor before they could react and eighteen guns endosarles starboard yardarm to yardarm.

- Lord - the first officer approached hesitantly-c on the proper respect. The men are restless, we approach a ship full sail higher, it is in our class. I think we should take precautions.

The two kept the look, the captain trying to scrutinize that something was wrong with his second. It could not be cowardice knew him well, of many battles and storms. Fear of a riot or who knows.

- Please Mr. Harispe, inactive men gather at this time in front of the palace - in a few minutes half the crew had gathered in front of the poop, unceremoniously pushed by the boatswain and his ends. He walked to the railing limping with his wooden leg, being careful not to slip with the heel of the boat. Coughed to clear his voice and shout so that the meeting and the gunners and nearby topmen hear his words.

- Marines from the frigate Valeur! Most Gipuzkoa you are like me, you are many people from all over France and the Spains. We approached an English ship, the India Company, fully loaded with riches and weapons to our enemies. These pirates are heretics centuries stealing our ships, sacking our cities and looking with contempt do you let go? - A "Nooooooo!" Prevented him from finishing the sentence - Those English want to impose a new Austria, another sure we will degenerate into ruin. We now have our King Philip, grandson of the king of our French allies, who abides by our charters, and with the help of God, raise up our country again. - Artillery, aim well, shoot high, and covered the yards! When you shoot below the waterline will command whip! Birth to the tops and sweep the enemy castle! The night before that we live full of glory and riches! On your marks! - The last words tore a roar in crescendo, and everyone ran to the places indicated in combat formation.
The captain and first officer crossed his eyes again.

- Are you satisfied Mr. Harispe? We will continue towards the stern of the ship to shoot enemy until his first salvo, we will turn to port, sweep your deck with the starboard guns, then change of tack and repeat with the starboard. They are heavily loaded, we go in and have the windward ballast.

Harispe doubted, and Captain de Lezo thought it best to give you something to do.

- Lord Harispe, go ahead, write the two hunting guns maximum elevation and then fire as soon as possible.

- But we are out of reach ...

- Yes, but with any luck will provoke and must shoot him before.

Harispe smiled and ran to the bow. Definitely was a good officer, although she had no trace of imagination. Lezo took out his watch and looked at the enemy, soon after the explosions sounded the guns for hunting and saw the shadow of the bullets flying to your destination. Two columns of water amounted to two wires of the lens. The frigate went straight on course, the master with the clock in his hand looked to the ports the ship, would approach three minutes after the enemy fired. Saw the first flash and took time, seen as enemy bullets coming at them as they fell to their bow, raising huge columns of water, only three or four did any damage to the sails of the foremast, of nearly forty who had been shot. Through the holes appeared 24-pound cannon, better not give them the opportunity to improve their aim the sound of gunfire was getting dull and threatening. About a minute left to turn heard two bangs forward and this time hit home Harispe two chips clouds rose in the stern of the ship.

- Virad port and - the order was executed swiftly by Dupont, the second mate, and the men in charge of the operation, but had been ahead of schedule.

- Fire starboard batteries! - One by one the eighteen guns pounded the bases starboard mizzen clubs and more, jumping everywhere chips, saw through the telescope there were many casualties on the enemy ship. The mizzenmast of the English swung and fell to port, the ship careening dangerously. Living and cheers toured the frigate, somewhat to the Valeur. He saw through the telescope as a multitude of men jumped on him trying to cut it free. Right now the ship was immobilized and could not react to attacks Valeur.

- Virad to starboard and stern make a pass as close as possible!

As they passed astern Stanhope could read in gold letters, right under the British flag with red stripes. Received two bullets from heavy guns aft, which crunched the hull of the frigate. But all the port cannon hit the target Valeur, sweeping the enemy covered from stem to stern. And the mizzenmast was jamming the ship, as a real anchor.

- Mr Dupont, turn back to starboard and stern repeat the past when possible. Please send a midshipman, to consult the almanac data that we have an English warship named Stanhope, serving the British East India Company ¹.

Harispe came running out of breath from the bow, his eyes showed enthusiasm.

- Lord, I ask permission to organize a task force approach and command it myself. With all due respect, sir.

Lezo not answer but raised his hand to ask for a little while. Soon came the midshipman with a role where there was a hastily copied letters and numbers, "Stanhope, ship of the line of the second class, 70 guns, 1400 tx". He handed the note to Harispe, which was thoughtful. A crew of about six hundred men against two hundred and fifty of the Valeur. Not to mention the soldiers back home would undoubtedly passengers.

- Lord Harispe, direct the fire of the batteries. We will give two more passes by with bullets pointing aft to the mainmast. When you fall or become seriously damaged the guns loaded with grape and bar cover.

- Yes sir.

Harispe had understood that before boarding was necessary to punish the enemy ship and cause more casualties. You can even surrender, but was unlikely. It is better that officers realize things without saying them, surely Harispe have to make decisions by himself soon. He saw the flashes of the muskets in the English ship and a sailor was wounded by his side. While some men took him to the infirmary, he wished that Harispe not have to send a ship so soon, no doubt that bullet was for him. The Stanhope aft guns shook them again, damaging a sail, and the starboard battery chips made Valeur near the base of the greater. Looked at the telescope, he saw that the stick was badly damaged and the sailors who were not wounded rose to reef the sails for fear to break. They had managed to break away from the fallen mizzenmast, but only with the ratchet, the mast damage and many casualties ... The Stanhope was as lame and tired donkey who wants to get rid of the young and hungry wolf. But it is still dangerous, kicked the other leg can sink us. The English tried to turn to shoot with the battery port, but the frigate was all sticks and windward in their favor. Achievement and pass astern to avoid shelling ruthlessly removing the rear cannons Stanhope. Blood covered the deck and enemy when they made the first pass with shrapnel.
At the turn before firing the barrage, De Lezo shouted.

- Hold your fire! Stanhope English ship. They have fought bravely. Retire the colors!

There was a weak and not far away and fired several muskets still the tops, and were swept by shrapnel from the artillery of the Valeur. Lezo was his good hand to his chest, he noticed a little blood and a splinter of wood fired by a musket shot. Definitely needed to be addressed to the English. Harispe came swiftly to the castle, reading his thoughts.

- Lord Harispe, prepare the detachment of collision, all the gunners, infantry and sailors with pistols and sabers. I'll stay in the palace with my boat and a few topmen indispensable to maneuver.

- In order sir! But you are hurt ...

- Only a sliver, I was lucky that I gave in the other eye. Let us finish soon so I can heal myself down to the infirmary. - Went head to his officer and looked into his eyes, nose to nose-Pierre beware, do your duty and try to surrender, without unnecessary fanfare.
The frigate maneuvered to bring the bow to the stern of the ship, while the English placed nets to avoid collision, but it was swept by the two hunting guns loaded with grapeshot. The hooks are released and clung to the ship, and the detachment led by Harispe his way to gun shots and saber. On the cover, the enemy resisted only in the forecastle hatch out men who were killed if they surrendered. Harispe ran towards the group of British officers and infants who were still struggling.

- Stop! Give up the ship. Stop this carnage, the officials doubted, most wounded. Everyone was still for a few seconds when you looked older and tired Harispe approached taking the sword by the blade and offering.

- Sir, I am Captain Combs. Throw your arms! Arriad the flag! - Harispe not understand much English but the gesture was eloquent. He accepted with a nod the sword that was offered.

- There are barracks! We won! - Several cheers and cheers were heard as the weapons fell to the deck. British officers were appearing, queuing in front of Harispe to deliver their swords. The formal gathering was going, making each one a slight incline. Hoped that there would many more, because it seemed the seven swords of Spanish playing cards. An English sailor dropped the ax he was carrying, taciturn climbed to fulfill the last command was their captain, and returned with the flag. The Union Flag ² in the upper left and seven horizontal red bands with white background. Harispe swords Dupont went and picked up the flag folding with care and respect, feeling with his hands and tears holes from shrapnel.

- Mr Dupont accommodate the prisoners and take command of the ship. Valeur I'm going back to the British officers and a third of men.

According ran the great ship that had just captured was feeling great fatigue, the tension of the last hours, and all the fear he passed bill content. But they had defeated and captured an East Indiaman ³, tripled them in half his crew and cannons. He repeated several times also, looking at the flag that was pressed against his chest and face of the English officers. Was gradually picking up the pace, feeling the blood flow to jump to the frigate, where he ran and De Lezo to deliver the flag.

William Vilaboa
Magazine "Estadea" No. 12 (2008)

¹ British Company of the West Indies.
² Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, at that time red cross, white sails and blue background.
³ Great ship that made the trip to India, similar to the Spanish galleons from the Americas.

Note: Public this great passage in the life of Blas de Lezo through the kindness of the author, Don Guillermo Vilaboa. I think everyone should enjoy such a feat again with pride.