no intention of yielding his ship as long as he had a stick standing
to escape with. Full of men as he now was, he hoped to beat off both
his foes, though he could not expect to capture them in sight of an
enemy's squadron. As they got nearer, a couple of guns were trained aft
to serve as stern chasers, and every preparation was made to fight for
life and liberty.

Another frigate and two line-of-battle ships were seen standing after
the first, but they were so far astern, that should the _Ione_ keep
ahead, without having her masts and spars shot away, there might still
be hopes of her escaping.

British seamen seldom wish to avoid a fight, but on the present occasion
few on board were such fire-eaters as not to hope that they might keep
well ahead of their foes.

The two frigates were rapidly gaining on the _Ione_; another half-hour,
or even less, and she would be within range of their guns. To hit her,
however, they would have to yaw, and this would enable her to gain on
them, while she could fire without altering her course.

Jack and Tom every now and then got a glimpse of the enemy through the
ports.

"I say, Jack, it isn't fair of those two fellows out there to be chasing
us after all we have gone through. I was hoping to go home and see my
father, and ask him to get me placed on the quarter-deck. I shouldn't
like to be killed till I've been made a midshipman--not that I should
like it then."

"Don't you be talking nonsense about being made a midshipman. You've
about as much chance as you have of being made port-admiral off-hand,"
answered Jack, with more temper than he generally showed. "Of course
you don't want to be killed--no more do I; but we must both be ready
should it be God's will to call us in the way of duty."

At length the drum beat to quarters, by which the men knew that the
captain expected before long to be engaged in a fierce fight.

Rayner was at his station forward, but he could still see what was
taking place astern. Presently the frigates yawed. Two flashes were
seen, and the low, booming sound of a couple of guns came across the
ocean.

"We're not quite within range of the mounseers' popguns yet," observed
the boatswain, with a laugh. "They must come closer before they can
harm us."

"Do you think we can beat them off?" asked Rayner.

"You may be very sure that we'll try pretty hard to do so," answered the
boatswain, in a confident tone. "I've heard of your doings abo