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On another occasion, one of Thurot's officers gave a bill upon a merchant in France, for some provisions that he had purchased. Thurot hearing of the circumstance, informed the countryman that the bill was of no value; and reprimanding the officer severely for the cheat, compelled him to give another on a merchant, whom he knew would pay the money.
What makes this act of integrity still more striking and praiseworthy, is, that Thurot's men at this time were so dissatisfied, as to be ready to break out in open mutiny. The Chevalier Bayard. The town of Bresse having revolted against the French, was attacked, taken, and sacked, with an almost unexampled fury.
It was quickly got over, and then every man went to his gun and stood ready for the fight. At nine o'clock the first shot was fired, and the Aeolus, ranging up alongside the brave Thurot's ship, hotly engaged her. The battle lasted for upwards of an hour, the English firing with a rapidity which told fearfully on their enemies.
"So I at first thought," said Ellen; "but I heard Captain O'Brien tell my father that he suspected Thurot's object was to draw the English ship away from the Irish coast, that should he come off victorious he might have the better chance of securing his prize.
A party of soldiers was then encamped on the hill, and I have been told the men had orders, on Thurot's appearance, to make signals if by day, and to light up the Beacon if at night, to communicate the intelligence of the French fleet being off the coast to the other Beacons at Ashurst and Billinge, Rivington-pike and elsewhere, and so spread the news into the north; while signals would also be taken up at Halton, Beeston, the Wreken, and thence to the southward.
It was a very current tradition in Everton that during the early part of the reign of Charles the First, people came up to Everton Beacon to be married, during the proscription of the clergy. When Thurot's expedition was expected in 1760, it was said that Everton Hill was alive with people from the town waiting the freebooters' approach.
Thurot's armament at Dunkirk was watched by an English squadron in the Downs, commanded by commodore Boys; the port of Havre was guarded by rear-admiral Rodney; Mr.
Monsieur Thurot had three ships, the crews of which burnt two ships belonging to King George, and a house belonging to his friend the King of Argyll pray don't mistake; by his friend, I mean King George's, not Thurot's friend. When they had finished this campaign, they sailed to Carrickfergus, a poorish town, situate in the heart of the Protestant cantons.
Perhaps Thurot's career would have been sooner stopped, had commodore Boys been victualled for a longer cruise; but this commander was obliged to put into Leith for a supply of provisions, at the very time when Thurot was seen hovering on the coast near Aberdeen; and, before the English squadron was provided for the prosecution of the cruise, the other had taken shelter at Gottenburgh, in Sweden.
The prizes were towed into Ramsay Bay, in the Isle of Man, for the brave Thurot's ship had not struck until her hold was half full of water, and she was in an almost sinking state. The French commodore was buried with the honours due to a gallant foe, and many who had formerly known him mourned his fate. The Aeolus being paid off, Lieutenant Foley obtained his commander's rank.
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