n Head. I will bring up
the rear with this ship. We may fall in with the Baltic fleet between
here and Scarboro', which is usually their first English port of
destination at this time of the year. Should you happen to sight the
_Alliance_, inform Captain Landais of our destination, but do not
communicate it to him as an order, because that would be likely to
expose you only to insult."

The two ships turned South, and the next three days were without
events of importance. At length they neared the harbor of Scarboro',
and, as they hovered about twelve miles off the land, they saw some
vessels making for the shore, and protecting a fleet of merchantmen.

"They're a heavy man-of-war--either a fifty-gun frigate, or a
fifty-four--with a large ship-of-war in company," cried one of his
Lieutenants, who had been watching them through a glass. "The Captain
of the larger one has cleverly manoeuvered to protect his merchant
ship."

Commodore Jones seemed to be much pleased.

"At last we'll have a little fight," cried he. "Bear hard for the
land, and get between the larger vessel and the shore!"

Captain Cottineau was signalled to and requested to go after the
sloop-of-war. About sundown the _Richard_ succeeded in weathering the
large frigate and manoeuvered between her and the land.

The ships neared each other very gradually, for the breeze was slight.
They were on opposite tacks and Commodore Jones readily made out the
force and rate of his antagonist. By the light of the dying day--for
it was about seven P. M.--he saw that she was a new forty-four; a
perfect beauty. It was the _Serapis_--Captain Richard Pearson
commanding--but six months off the stocks and on her first cruise as a
convoy to the Baltic fleet of merchantmen: consisting of about forty
vessels laden with timber and other naval stores for the use of the
British dockyards. Jones had hoped to have an opportunity to attack
this flotilla, but his plans had been frustrated by the vigilance and
skill of the commander of the men-of-war in convoy.

Even now Landais might have got among the merchantmen in the
fast-sailing _Alliance_, while Jones and Cottineau occupied the
attention of the two men-of-war; but the French officer did not have
sufficient courage to tackle them, and kept well beyond striking
distance.

The Captain of the _Serapis_ stood upon the deck, intently gazing at
the on-coming vessel.

"Gad Zooks!" he uttered. "From the size of her spars and h