approach of
their certain destruction.

The ensign was hoisted upside down, as a sign chat the ship was in great
distress, and guns were fired to draw the attention of the _Cynthia_ to
her. Denham anxiously watched the progress of his frigate, feeling sure
that from the mode in which the prize laboured in the sea she was not
likely to float much longer. In a short time the _Cynthia_ bore down
upon her, but already the sea ran so high that it was evidently a risk
to send a boat; and it would have been almost impossible to lower
wounded people into her. Again Denham urged the brave Dutchman, should
a boat be sent, to accompany him on board the frigate.

"No," he answered; "I have made up my mind to remain by these people,
and nothing shall induce me to desert them."

After some time a boat was seen approaching from the _Cynthia_. Denham
now feeling it was his duty to save his own life as well as that of his
people, ordered them to take the opportunity as she drew near of leaping
into her. A few of the French crew, who were not wounded, followed
their example. While Denham remained Davis refused to go into the boat.
At length it was evident that at any moment the prize might sink.

"Now," he exclaimed to Davis, "leap into her, and I will follow." He
shook the Dutchman warmly by the hand. "You are a brave man, my
friend," he said; "and though I would stay by you if I could assist in
saving your life, my duty to my men and to myself compels me to leave
you."

"Farewell," answered the Dutchman, seemingly unmoved.

"No time to lose, sir," shouted Davis from the boat.

Denham sprang from the side of the vessel; and scarcely had he reached
the boat, and taken his seat in the stern-sheets, when the bow of the
prize lifted high up above the sea, and then down she sank, lower and
lower, till the water washed over her deck, and finally closed again
above her masthead.

The frigate's boat had barely time to pull away clear of the vortex.
Several people were seen struggling in the waves; among them Denham
observed the brave captain, and, though not without great risk, he
ordered the boat to pull back, to endeavour to get him on board. Once,
as they neared the spot, he disappeared, and Denham feared he was lost
for ever. He again, however, rose, when Ned Davis, leaning over the
bows, caught hold of his jacket and succeeded in hauling him on board.
He was the only person among the prisoners who was saved, for before