that we are now in a very weak condition."

This sickness and mortality was attributed to the absolute want of proper
clothing, many of the men having come on board with only what they stood
in and some in rags, so the Captain asked for permission to issue an
extra supply of slops, a request that was immediately granted.

DUC D'AQUITAINE.

After another short cruise the Eagle returned to Plymouth with Pallisser
very ill with fever. He obtained sick leave, and Captain Proby was
ordered to take command, but was detained so long in the Downs by
contrary winds that Pallisser, who had heard a rumour of a French
squadron having been seen in the Channel, shook off his fever and resumed
the command of his ship, which was almost ready for sea. Every part of
the Channel mentioned in the rumour was carefully searched, but no signs
of the enemy were seen, and the author of the report, a Swede, was
detained in Portsmouth for some months.

On the 19th November the Eagle's crew was increased to 420 men, and she
was kept cruising throughout the winter, and on the 4th January 1757 she
was caught in a heavy gale off the Isle of Wight, where she had most of
her sails blown out of her. On 25th May she sailed from Plymouth Sound in
company with H.M.S. Medway, and a day or two afterwards they fell in with
and chased a French East Indiaman, the Duc d'Aquitaine, in rather heavy
weather. The Medway was leading, but when getting close, had to bring to
in order to clear for action, as otherwise she would be unable to open
her lee ports. Pallisser, on the other hand, was all ready, and pressed
on, bringing the chase to action. After a hard set-to, lasting about
three-quarters of an hour, the Frenchman struck, having lost 50 men