ts being uninjured, they were lowered; and the
third lieutenant, with a master's mate and a party of seamen, was sent
on board to take possession of the prize.

As they were about to shove off, Mr Saltwell inquired whether any one
could speak French.

"I can, sir," said Bill, touching his hat.

"Then go and assist Mr Sterling; you will be of much use," said the
first lieutenant.

Bill, who had been longing to visit the prize, obeyed with no small
satisfaction.

As they reached her deck, an officer advanced with his sword in his
hand, and presented it to Mr Sterling, who, receiving it, handed it to
Bill.

The French officer announced that he was the second lieutenant of the
_Diana_ frigate, which it was his misfortune now to yield into the
possession of her British conquerors.

Mr Sterling bowed in return.

"Tell him, Rayner," he said, "that we acknowledge how bravely he and his
countrymen have fought their ship, and that though they have lost her,
they have not lost their honour."

The French lieutenant looked highly gratified at this remark when Bill
interpreted it, and desired him to express his obligation to the English
lieutenant.

The captain and first lieutenant had been killed, as were no less than
thirty of the crew, including other officers, while fifty were wounded.

The deck, indeed, presented a dreadful scene--strewed in every direction
with corpses, while many poor fellows were so fearfully injured that
their shipmates had been unwilling to move them.

The other officers presented their swords, while the seamen unbuckled
their cutlasses, and the marines piled their arms. Many wry faces were
made, though most of the Frenchmen merely shrugged their shoulders,
observing that what had happened to them was the fortune of war. Bill
made himself very useful in communicating with the French officers and
crew.

One of the _Diana's_ boats had escaped injury, and she, being lowered,
assisted the other boats in carrying the prisoners on board the
_Thisbe_. They far outnumbered the English, and much vigilance was
required to keep them in order.

The prize crew sent on board the _Diana_ set to work, under the command
of Mr Sterling, to stop the shot-holes in her sides, and to repair her
other more serious damages. A jury-mast was rigged forward, to supply
the place of the foremast carried away. In the meantime, a hawser being
conveyed on board the _Thisbe_, the prize was taken in tow, and sail was