lag on the mizen-mast we continued firing as long as we could bring our
guns to bear. A loud cheer burst from the throats of our crew; the
Frenchman was standing away. This exultation was rather too
precipitate. As soon as he got out of range of our guns, he hove-to and
began firing away from a long gun, the shot from which occasionally hit
us. One poor fellow was killed and two wounded. It was clear that the
privateer was merely waiting till the sea should go down, when he would
run alongside and capture us without difficulty.

Captain Hassall at last, seeing what must inevitably occur, called the
officers round him, and proposed surrendering. "The villains will cut
all our throats if we do, that's all," observed O'Carroll. "I would
rather hold out to the last and sell our lives dearly." Most of us were
of O'Carroll's opinion.

"Very well, gentlemen, so let it be," said the captain. "I have done my
duty in offering to surrender, when I consider that successful
resistance is hopeless; still I agree with you that it would be better
to die fighting than to be murdered in cold blood."

When our guns became useless, the crew had been set to work to clear the
wreck of the mainmast, and to prepare sheers for a jury foremast. "And
this is to be the termination of our enterprise," I thought. I must own
I gave way to some bitter reflection. While all hands were busily
employed, I turned my eyes westward, and there, in the very place where
the _Mignonne_ had appeared, I saw another white sail. I pointed her
out to the captain. "She may be a friend, and turn the tables," he
observed. "If a foe we shall not be worse off than at present."

It soon became known that a sail was in sight. The crew came to the
conclusion that she was a friend. The Frenchmen at last saw her.
Whatever opinion they formed, they judged that it would be wise to
finish the fight and take possession of us. Once more the enemy drew
near. The firing became hotter than ever. I turned many an anxious
glance at the approaching sail. I felt sure that, in spite of the
staunchness of our men, we must inevitably be overpowered. The stranger
was getting closer and closer.

"She is a frigate!" cried the captain. "She shows English colours!
hurrah! hurrah!" The enemy saw that the chance of capturing us was
gone. Sweeping round us, with diabolical malice he gave a parting
broadside, which killed one man and wounded another, and then under all