hot came from her. Some believed that her crew,
struck with admiration at the heroism displayed by our people, fired
wide, or did not put shot into their guns. Though we were repeatedly
hulled, not a rope was shot away, nor was any one hurt on board. God in
his mercy, working as he thinks fit to work through human agency,
protected us. Everybody was labouring with a will, and in two hours we
had our decks clear, our guns mounted, and were in a perfect state of
preparation to meet a foe.

"No sooner was this done than the men came aft in a body, and begged Sir
Harry that should any of the mutinous fleet come up with us, they might
be allowed to go down at their guns rather than return to the Nore. The
captain promised them that they should have their wish: at which they
seemed as contented as if some great favour had been done them.

"As yet, however, there were no signs of our being pursued: though
shortly the determination of our men was to be put to the test.

"Sir Harry had resolved to return to Portsmouth, and when just off the
mouth of the Thames a fleet of men-of-war hove in sight. They
approached with the red flag at their mast-heads. This was the North
Sea fleet, with the admiral and all the officers under arrest.

"No sooner were we seen than a frigate bore down on us. That we could
escape her was doubtful; and though we could have beaten her off had we
fired, we should have brought the rest of the fleet down on us. Sir
Harry, therefore, gave the speaking-trumpet to Stanley, and directed him
to answer the questions of the mutineers. His replies seemed
satisfactory, for the frigate, hauling her wind, rejoined the fleet.
Scarcely had we lost sight of the North Sea fleet, than we spoke a brig,
which gave us the astounding information that the mutiny had again
broken out at Spithead. We therefore, just as it was growing dark,
anchored under Dungeness, with springs on our cables, prepared for an
attack.

"Towards the end of the middle watch, a large ship, as she appeared, was
seen bearing down towards us. The crew, believing her to be a foe,
again came aft, and repeated their request to be allowed to sink, rather
than surrender to the mutineers. The private signals were made: they
were answered; but that was no security, as the mutineers would of
course have possessed themselves of them. The drum beat to quarters.
It was a time of awful suspense. The wind was very light. The stranger
closed slow