chase, and owing to the sails of the Vier de Brudas being new, and somewhat stiffened by frost, they did not fill well, and the Badger soon gained upon her. To elude pursuit the Vier de Brudas ventured among the shoals along the French coast, somewhere off the town of Etaples, which lies on the southern side of the Channel.
The Badger opened fire, which the Dutchman returned, and in a short time the master's mate of the Badger was killed and others of the crew wounded . Some of the crew of the Vier de Brudas were also wounded ; one man received a bullet which entered below the nipple and came out by the shoulder-blade . He however lived and recovered.
As soon as the Badger got within hailing distance the commanding officer called out, " For God's sake, men, cease firing and you shall have your liberty." The vessel was afterwards boarded, and, of course, seized ; the crew were allowed to leave in their boats, taking with them their clothes, but no arms of any kind. They made for the French coast, not far distant, but after getting about a mile, the Badger's boats were manned, the crews being armed, and went in pursuit of the Dutchmen, whom they soon overtook, and who, in spite of the promise previously given, were made prisoners. This, to say the least of it, was dishonourable, for the word of a British officer is considered to be, and should be, inviolable.
