As the time wore on so did the chase grow increasingly exciting, our hopes every moment strengthening, until at length, by three bells in the middle watch, they had merged into a conviction that nothing short of a miracle could save the Indiaman from recapture.  Some such conviction must also have forced itself upon the mind of the officer in charge of her, for just after four bells had been struck we saw him suddenly take in his studdingsails and haul his wind, having apparently decided that he must inevitably be taken if he persisted in his endeavour to get into Saint Malo.  By the direction in which he was now steering it seemed probable that he had determined to seek shelter in one of the indentations to the westward of Frehel, many of which were at that time defended by earthwork batteries for the protection of the French coasting craft from our cruisers and privateers.