put the question.

"There are two opinions," said the surgeon, making a face. "He would be
a coward who would refuse to attack our late antagonist in the condition
to which we have reduced her."

"All right," observed Mr Calder, when he heard the remark; "if there
are two opinions about a man's courage it is seldom that the favourable
one is the right; we shall see, though."

In accordance with his orders, though much against his inclination,
Lieutenant Calder stood away from the scene of the approaching combat.

A flash and a puff of smoke was seen, and soon afterwards a low
thundering noise boomed along the waters. The French frigate had fired
her first shot at the "Thisbe."

"I hope it did not hit her!" exclaimed Morton. "Oh, how I wish we were
there to help her!"

The same sentiment was expressed by all on board.

It seemed probable that the first shot did hit, for the Frenchman now
luffed up and fired his broadside at the "Thisbe." She waited till he
bore away again, and then returned the compliment.

For a few minutes the firing ceased. Probably neither of the combatants
had committed as much damage to each other as they expected, and were
not desirous of throwing away their shots.

Ronald thought all the time of his father, and the danger to which he
was exposed, for considering the comparatively defenceless state of the
"Thisbe" he could not help dreading the result.

The breeze increased, and the "Concorde" got further and further from
the scene of contest. Again the firing commenced. All hands knocked
off work to watch the progress of the fight. The officers forgot even
to recall them to their duty. The French surgeon and several of the
wounded prisoners crawled up on deck to watch it also.

"There they go at it! Well done, `Thisbe'!" exclaimed Tom Calder.
"Never saw a more rapidly delivered broadside. If she had all her spars
she wouldn't be long in taking that ship, too. Not certain that she
won't do it now. Hurra! there's one of the Frenchman's spars shot
away."

"Hurra for the `Thisbe'!" shouted the crew. "She's the girl to win the
day. Hurra! hurra!"

"Not so sure of that," muttered Rawson, an old mate, who seldom saw
things in a pleasant light. No wonder, for he had seen numbers who had
come to sea long after him promoted over his head, and were now
commanders and post captains, while he remained almost without hope in a
subordinate position. He was pretty certain to be s