ut to heave me overboard, when
I opened my eyes, and sang out, `Don't;' so they let me remain, and
after some time pulled alongside a cutter, on board which we were taken
and looked after below. Shortly afterwards we went in chase of a French
craft of the same rig as ours, but she got away, and we then steered for
Plymouth. We were at first taken on board the guardship, where we
remained some time, and then I was transferred with others to this
frigate, the _Thisbe_, of which, to my great satisfaction, I found that
Mr Saltwell had been appointed first lieutenant. Thinking that, as we
had shared a common misfortune, he would stand my friend, I went up to
him, and telling him that I was a gentleman's son, begged he would have
me put on the quarter-deck. He told me that if I did my duty I should
have as good a chance as others; but here I am set to scrape potatoes
and clean pots and pans. It's a shame, a great shame, and I can't stand
it."

Bill and Jack had a tolerably correct notion why Tom was not better off,
but they did not say so, as they did not wish to hurt his feelings, and
were grateful to him for having obtained for them the broth and
biscuits.

They had scarcely finished their meal when the order came to extinguish
the galley fire.

A short time afterwards the drum beat to quarters, and every one was
employed in getting the ship ready for action.

Jack and Bill expected that they would be employed in their former
occupation of powder-monkeys, though, having been awake all the previous
night, and in active exertion the whole of the day, notwithstanding the
expectation of a battle, they could with difficulty keep their eyes
open. They were going with the rest of the boys to the powder-magazine,
when they heard their names called out, and the ship's corporal
appearing, told them that the first lieutenant had directed that they
should turn in below and take some sleep.

A couple of hammocks were slung for them forward, and they very gladly
obeyed the order.

Bill made an effort to keep awake, that he might turn out again should
the ship go into action, but in less than two minutes drowsiness
overtook him, and he went fast asleep.

He dreamed, however, that he heard the guns firing, and the crew
shouting, and that he got up and found that the frigate had taken the
Frenchman.

Meantime, however, the wind falling light, the frigate made but slow
progress, though she still kept the enemy in sight.

W