I  pointed  her  out  to  the  captain.  "  She  may  be  a
friend,  and  turn  the  tables,"  he  observed.  "  If  a  foe
we  shall  not  be  worse  off  than  at  present."


A  Desperate  Encounter.  67

It  soon  became  known  that  a  sail  was  in  sight.  The
crew  came  to  the  conclusion  that  she  was  a  friend.
The  Frenchmen  at  last  saw  her.  Whatever  opinion
they  formed,  they  judged  that  it  would  be  wise  to
finish  the  fight  and  take  possession  of  us.  Once  more
the  enemy  drew  near.  The  firing  became  hotter  than
ever.  I  turned  many  an  anxious  glance  at  the  ap-
proaching sail.  I  felt  sure  that,  in  spite  of  the  staunch-
ness of  our  men,  we  must  inevitably  be  overpowered.
The  stranger  was  getting  closer  and  closer.
"She  is  a  frigate  !"  cried  the  captain.  "She  shows
English  colours  !  hurrah  !  hurrah  !  "  The  enemy  saw
that  the  chance  of  capturing  us  was  gone.  Sweeping
round  us,  with  diabolical  malice  he  gave  a  parting
broadside,  which  killed  one  man  and  wounded  another,
and  then  under  all  the  sail  he  could  set  ran  of!  before
the  wind.  The  frigate  had  now  also  made  more  sail
and  closed  as  rapidly.  She  came  close  to  us.  "  Are
you  in  a  sinking  state  ? "  asked  a  voice  from  the  frigate.
