the cockpit crowded, but every cabin was full of
wounded men. The greater part of the prisoners were of course removed
on board the _Wolf_, but a few were retained to assist in working the
pumps and attending to the wounded.

While the carpenters were engaged in stopping the shot-holes--through
which the water was rushing with a rapidity sufficient in a short time
to carry the prize to the bottom--it was impossible to attempt repairing
other damages.

When morning broke, a shattered, blood-stained hull lay floating, with
her victor watching near her. An anxious look-out was kept for any sail
which might appear. Should a single frigate be seen, Captain Moubray
and his officers resolved to fight their ship and defend their prize to
the last.

No one thought of resting. Mr Bitts piped his call, until, as Paddy
Logan observed, "it seemed mighty curious that he had any wind left in
his body."

The frigate's crew laboured on, until many were ready to drop with
fatigue. All knew that not a moment was to be lost. Another
contingency might occur, besides the appearance of an enemy of superior
force; a northerly gale might spring up, and drive the disabled frigates
on the French coast. Happily, the masts of the _Wolf_ were secured, the
rigging repaired, and fresh sails bent, and the wind coming from the
southward, she took her prize in tow, and shaped a course across the
channel for Plymouth.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

ON BOARD THE PRIZE--BEN GIVES BAD ADVICE--A STRANGE LINE-OF-BATTLE
SHIP--FRIEND OR FOE?--THE WOLF AND HER PRIZE REACH PLYMOUTH--NOT ALLOWED
TO GO ASHORE--PETER PURKISS--DICK DESERTS--HOMEWARD BOUND--VISIT TO THE
SMUGGLER'S WIFE--RECEPTION AT THE FARM--DICK RECOGNISED BY LORD REGINALD
AND VOULES--FEAR OF BEING RETAKEN--DICK LEAVES HOME--CAPTURED AND SENT
ON BOARD A CUTTER.

The _Wolf_, with a fair breeze, having her prize in tow, shaped a course
for Plymouth. The wind though favourable was light, and should it
continue so, it would be some time before she could reach her
destination. It was fortunate, however, that the sea was smooth, as it
enabled the carpenters the more easily to get at the numerous shot-holes
in the sides of the prize, and to stop the water coming in, which it had
been doing at a rapid rate, making it necessary to keep the pumps
constantly going. This was hard work for the prize crew, for the few
Frenchmen left on board, though they did not refuse to go to the pumps,
worked listles