wounded men were
taken to the hospital, and the prize crew returned on board their own
ship.

Bill had been very anxious to accompany Pierre, that he might watch over
him with more care than strangers could do, but he had had no
opportunity of asking leave of Mr Saltwell.

He had not been long on board the frigate, and was giving an account of
the boarding expedition to Jack and Tom, when he heard his name called
along the decks.

"Boy Rayner, the captain has sent for you into the cabin," said the
master-at-arms.

"What can you be wanted for!" exclaimed Tom. "Look out for squalls. I
shouldn't like to be in your shoes."

"No fear of that," said Jack. "Maybe the first lieutenant has told the
captain how Bill saved his life. I wish that I had had a chance of
doing something of the sort."

Bill, however, did not stop to hear the remarks of his two friends, but
hurried aft, thinking that now would be the time to say something in
poor Pierre's favour.

The sentry, who knew that he had been sent for, allowed him to pass
without question, and he soon found himself in the presence of the
captain and Mr Saltwell, who were seated at the table in the main
cabin. Bill stood, hat in hand, ready to answer any questions which
might be put to him.

"William Rayner," said the captain, "you have, I understand, behaved
remarkably well on several occasions, twice especially, by saving Mr
Saltwell's life through your coolness and presence of mind. You are
also, I find, a fair French scholar, and the first lieutenant reports
favourably of your conduct in your former ship. I wish to reward you.
Let me know how I can best do so in a way satisfactory to yourself."

"I only did my duty without thinking of being rewarded," answered Bill;
"but I have been wishing since we took the prize that something could be
done for a young Frenchman who was badly hurt on board her by a shot
from the battery which fired at us. He and his father saved Jack Peek
and me from drowning when we were blown up in the _Foxhound_, and his
family were afterwards very kind to us, and did their utmost to save us
from being carried off to prison, and when we were hid away in a cave,
his sister, at great risk, brought us food. He will now be amongst
strangers, who do not understand his lingo, and the poor fellow will be
very sad and solitary; so I think he would like it, if I could get leave
to go and stay with him while the frigate remains in harbour. I'