As the Sea Horse burned, Jones and the men aboard the five gunboats continued north, attempting to avoid a fight with the many barges. For a few hours, they made progress but, as midnight approached, the wind failed them. They were well short of the shallow passage north of Malheureux Island that would lead them to safety when it became clear their sails would carry them no farther. But the British boats, powered by oarsmen, would be unaffected by the stillness. Though the enemy had stopped for the night nearly ten miles back, they would easily catch Jones and his men when they resumed their
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