ith kindness accordingly; but I should only deservedly bring down scorn
and ridicule on myself if I were ever to aspire to a greater intimacy
than that which has hitherto been allowed me."

"Well, Denham, we must not return without an enemy's frigate in tow,"
observed Captain Falkner, as he was one day walking the deck with his
young lieutenant. "The Frenchmen have several fine vessels out in these
seas at present, and we must try and diminish their numbers. Let us but
catch sight of one of them, and, unless she has a very fast pair of
heels, she shall be our prize before many hours are over."

"No doubt of that, sir," answered Denham, laughing. "We have now as
fine a ship's company as were ever collected together, having cleared
out the black sheep who were among them, and they are in as good temper
as men need be."

"A sail on the lee-bow," shouted the look-out from aloft.

"What is she like?" asked the captain.

"A full-rigged ship, sir," was the answer.

There was a fresh northerly breeze at the time, and the frigate was
under easy sail.

"Turn the hands up, Mr Hansom," observed the captain to the first
lieutenant. "Make all sail."

"All hands on deck," shouted the boatswain, piping his whistle at the
same time.

The crew speedily made their appearance, and in a few seconds were seen
clustering on the yards aloft. The ship was kept away, studding-sails
and royals were set; and the frigate, gliding rapidly over the water,
stood towards the stranger. The latter, though she must have seen her
coming, showed no inclination to avoid her; but, on the contrary, hauled
her wind, that they might the sooner meet. Every spy-glass was in
requisition on board the _Cynthia_, and most of the officers went aloft,
that they might take a better view of the stranger. In a short time she
was pronounced to be a frigate of equal size to their own. Some,
however, thought her larger. That she might be so, and under an enemy's
flag, was the wish of all. It is strange how eager men are to encounter
those they consider it lawful to engage with in fight, to wound and slay
each other. They think not of the pain and suffering they may inflict,
or may themselves have to undergo. They eagerly seek for the excitement
of the strife, the triumph of victory. They seem to forget entirely
what far greater triumphs await those who labour on in civil life to
advance the interests of humanity, to win the desert from barrenness, to