THE LONG FIGHT by Rayner, D.A

New York, 1958, Holt, US first edition, hard bound in dust jacket, 5 1/2 x 8, VG/Good condition ( dj shows medium wear and chipping to edges ), 181 pages.-------------------------------------------------------The merchant convoy, without escort, was the prize. To protect the heavily laden ships the British frigate San Fiorenzo moved through a fierce storm under close-reefed sails in the Indian Ocean off Ceylon. Captain Hardinge was fully alert to the terror of his powerful French adversary, the frigate Piemontaise.Captain Epron of the Piemontaise had sailed from the Ile de France (Mauritius) bent on capturing the undefended vessels. In a previous encounter with the British frigate the French ship had turned and run. This time it would be different.The two ships sighted each other and prepared for engagement. The Piemontaise was superior in size and arms. and carried twice as many men, as the San Fiorenzo. But the condition of her bottom gave cause for grave concern. The San Fiorenzo, though short of crew, was a tight ship and extremely fit. As they drew into point-blank range each ship knew that for one or the other it would be capture or death.For three days and three nights the action was a game of chess. As one hour followed the next, the advantage. like the sea, changed constantly. In a tournament of wits both captains employed their best tactics and both ships fought gallantly until the tolls of battle brought humiliating defeat to one and victory to the other.