were the swords of the officers and the guns of the marines.

"We are seen, sure enough," said Syd. "Be ready with the colours,
Rogers," he added aloud. "Hoist them the moment you hear me shout."

"Ay, ay, sir. But it may only be a bit o' _parley voo_, and no fighting
arter all."

"I hope not," thought Syd, as he hurried down the rift, avoiding Terry's
work, and making straight for the lieutenant's quarters, where he
flinched from telling of Terry's actions, and contented himself by
saying what he had seen.

"Well, Mr Belton," said the lieutenant, with a slight flush coming into
his pale face, "you are a King's officer in command, but you know the
captain's wishes; and, boy as you are, sir, you must do what we all do
under such trying circumstances--act like a man."

"And--"

Syd ceased speaking, and asked the remainder of his question with his
eyes.

"Yes, sir, fire upon them, if necessary. If that boat is from a French
man-of-war, her men must not land."

Syd drew in a long breath, nodded shortly, and was going out without a
word.

"Stop!" cried the lieutenant. "Take off that plaything, my dear lad,
and buckle on my sword. That's right, take up a hole or two in the belt
as you go. Here's a motto for your crest when you sport one,
`_Belton_--_Belt on_'! Now God bless you, my lad! Do your duty for
your own and your father's sake."

There was a quick grasp of the hand, and Syd ran out, fastening on the
sword-belt as he went, and feeling rather a curious sensation in the
throat as he mentally exclaimed--"I will."

The men were lying down by the breastwork of the lower gun as he trotted
over the slope, and to his surprise he found the boatswain seated on a
piece of stone with his face puckered up, watching Pan whom he had just
sent up to the magazine.

"Well: what news?" said Roylance, eagerly. "Are they gone?"

Every eye was fixed on Syd, as he replied--

"No; a boat is coming ashore, and they must make for here. We can hear
what they have to say, but they must not land."

A thrill seemed to run through the men, who lay ready to jump up and
work the gun, and at a glance Sydney saw that their arms were all ready,
and half the men were stripped for action.

"It is a French frigate?" said Roylance. "Yes."

"Then who is to talk to them? Can you?"

"I know the French I learned at school."

"Well, I know that much," said Roylance. "I can make them understand,
but I don't know about underst