22 COSBY. ment with a Spanish ship of war, called the Galger, of thirty-six guns. The disparity of force between the Galger and the Comet was such, that the result of the action may easily be anticipated. The latter, after an obstinate defence, was compelled to strike; and the captain, the lieutenant, Mr. Cosby, and a few others, were taken on board of the Spaniard, and carried to the Havannah. The Comet, however, was retaken the same day by an English man-of-war, who hearing the firing, came out from Antigua, and pursued and retook the bomb, which was without her topmast, and much shattered. Such an event as the above at his first setting out in life, afforded no very favourable specimen of what in the course of his career he might further expect. He was, however, fully impressed with the sentiment of his family motto, (audaces Fortuna juvat,) and there is no reason to suppose this adverse circumstance chilled his ardour. With Captain Spring and his other fellow-sufferers, he was soon exchanged, and returned to the service, and with that officer he is supposed to have remained until the year 1755, when on 28th January, he received his commis sion as lieutenant. He continued on the American station during the winter, being left commanding officer of a small squadron at Halifax, which was stationed there for the purpose of watching Louisbourg, and the movements of the French in that quarter. By a prudent disposition of his force, that port was much straitened, and a number of important prizes taken, particularly the valuable tran sports with stores, provisions, and ammunition, and the Arc-en-ciel, a ship of fifty guns. He was afterwards ap pointed to the Orford of fifty guns; and in 1757, served on the same station under Admiral Holburne. In 1758, he commanded a schooner at the siege of Louis bourg, under the command of the Hon. Admiral Bos cawen, Captain Spring continuing on the station under the same officer. Having by some particular service attracted the notice of the late General Wolfe, Mr. Cosby was, at the express
