t air.

Four guns only replied to the last broadside, showing the havoc and
confusion it had caused. At the same moment flames burst forth from the
Frenchman's deck. The English worked their guns with redoubled vigour.
Scarcely had the fire disappeared from one part of the French ship, than
it broke forth in another. Her shrouds and running rigging had been cut
away, and her remaining mast was tottering. Still the Frenchmen fought
on, though they could scarcely, it seemed, have hoped for victory.

Once more the ships separated, still continuing to exchange broadsides,
though many of the Frenchman's guns had been silenced. Still, from the
number of men seen on her decks, they might hope to gain the victory by
boarding. To guard against such a contingency was now Captain Moubray's
chief care. Again the bows of the two ships met, when the outer arm of
the _Wolf's_ best bower anchor, entering the foremost main-deck port of
the French frigate, held her fast.

Though the English continued to pour broadside after broadside into
their enemy, no signal of surrender was shown. Every moment it seemed
as if the foremast of the latter, already tottering, would go by the
board, and probably fall on the deck of the _Wolf_.

"We must put an end to this!" cried Captain Moubray. "Boarders, follow
me!"

He sprang forward, several of his officers and those to whom he had
given the word, pressing round him, all eager to be the first on the
enemy's deck. Among them was Lord Reginald, who, regardless of danger,
burned to distinguish himself. The gallant boatswain led another party,
hastily collected on the main-deck. Richard Hargrave, on hearing the
boatswain's summons, and finding that ammunition was no longer required
on his side, left his station and joined them. Two stout planks had
been thrust through the Frenchman's second bow port. By this means the
boatswain's party forced their way, for the gun which filled the port,
having been dismounted, allowed them ingress.

With cheers and shouts the British seamen, led by the captain, leaping
down on the Frenchman's deck, with pistols flashing and cutlasses hewing
and hacking, quickly drove their enemies aft. As they reached the main
hatchway, many of the latter, unable to resist the impetus of the
onslaught, sprang down below, where they were met by the boatswain's
party, who, sweeping along the fore part of the deck, quickly cleared
it. Still a determined band resisted.