her antagonist.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

THE "THISBE" VICTORIOUS--AN ENEMY'S SQUADRON HEAVES IN SIGHT.

The crew of the _Thisbe_ stood at their guns, ready to open fire at the
word of command. Several who had, at the commencement of the action,
been among them, were missing; and though the survivors mourned their
loss, that was not the time either to think or talk about them. Not a
word, indeed, was spoken fore and aft; not even the usual jokes passed
between the men. The Frenchman showed no inclination to avoid the
combat. He could not have got away even had he wished, for his
foretopmast was gone, and he had not fully repaired the other damages he
had received aloft.

Nearer and nearer the _Thisbe_ drew to the enemy, still the looked-for
word of command did not come. The captain resolved to wait till he got
close up to her. The French, also, for some time refrained from firing,
though the _Thisbe_ was within range of their guns. They were the first
to lose patience, or perhaps they thought that they could knock away the
spars and rigging of their antagonist, and thus be able to make their
escape.

The _Thisbe_, however, was coming up on their larboard quarter. Their
guns which they could bring to bear were trained high for the purpose
mentioned. The shot came whistling about her masts and rigging; but
though some of her sails were shot through, and a few ropes cut away, no
material damage was received. The breeze at that instant freshened, and
the _Thisbe_ glided rapidly on.

"Give it them, my lads!" cried the captain, as the helm being put to
starboard the whole of the _Thisbe's_ broadside was brought to bear with
terrible effect on the enemy.

The Frenchman again fired. The _Thisbe's_ guns were quickly run in and
reloaded. The breeze at that instant blew aside the smoke, and as it
did so the enemy's foremast was seen to fall with a crash overboard.

Loud cheers rang forth from the decks of the _Thisbe_. Again her
broadside was fired, but no return came. The next instant, through the
smoke, the Frenchman's ensign was seen in the act of being lowered, just
in time to save them from another broadside.

The British crew had cheered lustily when they saw the foremast fall.
They now redoubled their shouts, turning round and shaking each other
heartily by the hand; some throwing up their caps, and others, mostly
the Irishmen of the crew, leaping and dancing with delight.

Two of the _Thisbe's_ boa