e than a minute squinting along
the sights of the gun. Suddenly he pulled the lanyard, the gun belched
forth a torrent of flame and smoke, and, as I stood looking at the
frigate through my own telescope, I saw a small round hole appear in the
foot of the fore-topgallant-sail, another moment and the topgallant-mast
doubled over and went, hanging down by its rigging, under the lee of the
topsail, with the topgallant-sail and royal attached.

"Hurrah!" shouted I, in an ecstasy of delight; "winged her, by all that
is fortunate!"

The men heartily echoed my cheer; one or two of them playfully patting
Mason on the shoulder, by way of encouragement.

"A most excellent shot!" remarked the skipper. "I owe you a glass of
grog for that, Mason; and you shall have it, my lad, but by and by, not
now; you must keep your head perfectly clear until we have done with
that gun. Try her again!"

They were certainly a very smart set of fellows aboard the Frenchman;
for no sooner had the topgallant-mast fallen than the hands were in her
rigging on their way aloft to clear away the wreck.

Again Mason levelled the gun, taking a long and careful aim as before;
and this time the shot struck the sill of the frigate's lee bridle port,
entering the port, and no doubt raking the deck for a considerable
portion of its length. That it did enough damage to greatly exasperate
the French captain seemed almost certain, for presently he bore away
again and treated us to another broadside, the shot of which fell so far
astern that it looked as though we were now creeping away from her.

Mason now seemed to have got his hand in, for his next shot hit the
frigate's bowsprit-end as fair as though he had specially aimed at it,
knocking the cap to pieces, and causing the jib-booms to go over to
leeward. This completely disabled the frigate, so far as chasing to
windward was concerned, as with the loss of her jib-booms she also lost
the use of her jibs; the pressure of her after-sail at once throwing her
up into the wind until she was all aback. They at once went to work to
take in all the sail upon her mizzen-mast, and presently boxed her off
again; but her captain knew that to think of catching us now was out of
the question, and presently he wore round and hauled up to the northward
and eastward, on an easy bowline; his people swarming on the forecastle
as they busied themselves in securing the jibs.

Our lads gave three rousing cheers as they sa