they
were thus thrown off their guard, the stranger was seen to be sheering
alongside. The master, suspecting treachery, called up the watch below,
and ordered all on deck to seize such weapons as were at hand to resist
the boarders, while he directed the rest of the people to arm
themselves.

Scarcely were the crew thus partially prepared for an attack, than the
stranger, running alongside, threw grappling irons aboard them. On this
the master had the gun fired, which was first heard on board the
frigate. His promptness had saved the ship. The crew well knew that
they were fighting for their lives.

As soon as one party had armed themselves completely they took the
places of those who had received the first attack and had driven the
enemy back. In vain, however, they attempted to cast off the grappling
irons. The ships' yards had become locked, and no effort they could
make could separate them. Thus, had not the frigate come to their
assistance, they must have been taken. Whether or not the privateer
would have succeeded in getting off with them was doubtful. As soon as
the prisoners had been secured, Mr Jager ordered Lord Reginald and the
boatswain to return on board the frigate and bring back the captain's
orders. In the meat time he and the men remaining with him, aided by
the crew of the merchant vessel, got the two ships free from each other,
and, making sail, stood for the frigate, which, as soon as the boats got
alongside, had kept away. Neither ship was injured, except where their
sides had ground together, and the yards when interlocked had torn the
canvas and carried away some blocks and ropes.

Some time elapsed, during which the _Wolf_ had been making signals to
the rest of the convoy, to put them on their guard, lest other ships of
the enemy should be in the neighbourhood. Dick and Ben had remained on
board the prize.

"I say, I wonder who'll have charge of this craft," observed the latter
to Dick. "I hope it will be Mr Jager. She's a fine little ship,
carries twenty-four guns, and would make a capital cruiser. If the
captain commissions her, and sends her away to play the same game on the
enemy that she's been playing on our ships, we may chance to fill our
pockets with prize-money. I think it's very likely, too, and if Mr
Jager gets command we shall have an officer who'll keep his eye open,
and not let the grass grow under his feet."

"I should like it well enough, especially as we