hrough
the water, but the increase of wind gave the advantage to the larger
ship, which kept drawing closer.

I have not spoken of time. The day was passing, and Mr Harvey ordered
the steward and cook to bring us some food on deck, for no one could be
spared below to obtain it. Already it was some hours past noon. If we
could keep ahead until darkness came down, we might still manage to
escape by altering our course, as soon as we had lost sight of the
frigate. At length, however, we saw her yaw. She had got us within
range of her guns. She fired, and two shot came whizzing past us. On
this Mr Harvey ordered us to run out two long guns, brass six-pounders,
through the stern-ports, and to fire in return.

We blazed away as fast as we could run them in and load, but it was a
difficult matter to take aim with the heavy sea on through which we were
plunging. We managed, however, to pitch two or three of our shot on
board, but what damage we caused we could not tell.

Again the frigate yawed and fired all her foremost guns. One of the
shot came crashing into the mainmast, and two others hulled us. I
sprang towards the mast to ascertain the extent of damage it had
received. It seemed a wonder, with so large a piece cut out of it, that
it could stand, and I expected every moment to see it go. Still, should
the wind not increase, I thought it might be preserved, and Mr Harvey
calling all the hands not engaged at the guns to bring as many spars as
could be collected, we began fishing it. We were thus engaged when two
more shot pitched on board, carrying away part of the bulwarks and
capsizing one of the guns.

Another followed, bringing one of our men to the deck with his head
shattered to pieces. Our position was becoming desperate. Presently
two more shot struck us between wind and water. Several of the men, who
had before shown no lack of courage, cried out that we had better strike
before we were sent to the bottom.

"Not while our masts stand," answered Mr Harvey firmly.

We had had but slight experience in fishing masts, so I had little
confidence in its strength. Mr Harvey then called me aft to work one
of the guns.

I again pitched a shot into the frigate. My great hope was that I might
knock away one of her spars, and give us a better chance of escaping.
The wind had been drawing round to the westward of south. We still kept
before it. Presently the frigate braced up her yards, intending
app