of them to my wife.

As they drew near, however, they showed French colours. It was clear,
we thought, that they had mistaken us for a French squadron. We
accordingly hoisted French colours, and they ran on close under our
guns. We then changed our colours for English, and fired a shot across
their bows. They were evidently taken by surprise, and did not seem to
know what to do. We fired another shot to quicken their imagination.
On this they hove-to and hauled down their colours.

Directly afterwards a boat came alongside from each or the strangers.
The masters of the ships apparently were in them. They came on deck,
and inquired what we wanted, and why we fired at them? They spoke
tolerably good English, though in the French fashion.

"Why, gentlemen, I am sorry for your sakes to say that war has again
broken out between England and France, and that we purpose to make
prizes of your ships."

The poor Frenchmen looked very indignant, and then very unhappy, and
stamped and swore and plucked the hair in handfuls from their heads. I
thought they would have gone out of their minds, they seemed so
miserable and furious; but they were allowed to rage on, and no one
interfered with them.

At last our captain observed that it was the fortune of war, and a
misfortune to which many brave men were subject; whereon they re-echoed
the sentiment, shrugged their shoulders, and in ten minutes were
laughing and singing as if everything had turned out exactly as they
could have wished it.

The captain ordered two of the midshipmen to go on board the prizes to
carry them home. How the sound of the order set my heart beating! I
had my letter ready to send. Could I but form one of their crews. I
could scarcely venture to ask the favour.

Several men were chosen for each vessel. I understood that their
numbers were complete. Again my heart sank within me. My hopes had
vanished. I was standing with my letter in my hand, when I saw Dr
McCall go up to the captain. Directly afterwards I was called up.

"I understand, my man," said our captain, "that you have strong reasons
for wishing to return home. You shall go in one of the prizes; get your
bag ready."

How I blessed him for his kind words. In ten minutes I was on board the
largest prize. She was ship-rigged, called the _Mouche_, and bound from
the Isle of France to Bordeaux. Mr Randolph was the name of the
midshipman sent in charge of her.

As I left the s