for a signal. I know I can trust you, my boy."

Bill touched his hat.

"I will do my best, sir," he answered; and he slipped down to where the
prisoners were congregated.

They did not suspect that he had before informed the captain of their
intended outbreak, or it would have fared but ill with him.

Whatever might have been their intentions, they seemed aware that they
were carefully watched, and showed no inclination to create a
disturbance.

The greatest efforts were now made to set up the jury-masts. The wind
was increasing, and the sea rising every minute. The day also was
drawing on, and matters were getting worse and worse; still Captain
Waring and his staunch crew worked away undaunted. If they could once
get up the jury-masts, a course might be steered either for the Isle of
Wight or Plymouth. Sails had been got up from below; the masts were
ready to raise, when there came a cry of, "The enemy is standing towards
us!"

"We must beat her off, and then go to work again," cried the captain.

A cheer was the response. The powder-magazine was again opened. The
men flew to their guns, and prepared for the expected conflict.

The French ship soon began to fire, the English returning their salute
with interest. The round shot, as before, whistled across the deck,
killing and wounding several of the crew.

The sky became still more overcast; the lightning darted from the
clouds; the thunder rattled, mocked by the roaring of the guns.

Bill saw his shipmates knocked over on every side; but, as soon as one
of the crew of a gun was killed, another took his place, or the
remainder worked the gun with as much rapidity as before.

The cockpit was soon full of wounded men. Though things were as bad as
they could be, the captain had resolved not to yield.

The officers went about the decks encouraging the crew, assuring them
that they would speedily beat off the enemy.

Every man, even the idlest, was doing his duty.

Jack, Tom, and Bill were doing theirs.

Suddenly a cry arose from below of "Fire! fire!" and the next moment
thick wreaths of smoke ascended through the hatchways, increasing every
instant in density.

The firemen were called away. Even at that awful moment the captain and
officers maintained their calmness.

Now was the time to try what the men were made of. The greater number
obeyed the orders they received. Buckets were handed up and filled with
water to dash over the seat of t