Grigg's conduct was so decisive and his reasons appeared so good that the com- -manders of the privateers not only consented, but insisted upon his taking command and of their guns. He accordingly proceeded to place them in battery upon some high rocks covered with bushes. It was while this removal was going on and while all firing on the part of the privateers men had become necessarily suspended that they enemy seemed to have concluded that there would be little, if any, more further defence, and that they approached Chimney Corner firing first balls and then grape shot as above mentioned. One of the assailing vessels, her deck crowded with men, now approached the shore, directly in front of the rocks and bushes where Captain Howe lay concealed; evidently for the purpose of landing and cutting out the privateers. Captain Howe's [page break] 1041 197 [margin: PARIS] intention was to let the Refugees land, and when they had moved in the direction of the Privateers to cut off their retreat. They had just commenced landing (or were about to do so) and were in the very, act of making their vessel fast to the shore, when, directly contrary to the Captain's orders, a foolish boy belonging to Howe's party discharged his musket at the invaders, and betrayed the ambuscade. The few who had landed instantly sprang on board again and pushed off, but the moment Howe saw their intention he ordered his men to rise and fire. The enemy had hardly time to let go their fastenings and get on board when a general discharge of musketry was commenced by the party in ambush. So continued and destructive was the fire that the Refugees were all driven below, and both vessel and crew would have been captured if the Americans had been provided with boats or any means of boarding.