gallant band, and
in another instant it seemed likely that they would have been
overwhelmed. With such impetuosity, however, did Paul and his party
dash on board, that although numbers of the Frenchmen were thronging the
maindeck, they were rapidly driven back. In vain they struggled--in
vain they fought. Nothing could stop the fierce onslaught of the
British seamen.

High above all other cries, Paul Pringle's voice was heard shouting the
name of True Blue. "We must find our True Blue. Huzza for our True
Blue, boys!"

Thus timely relieved, Mr Brine was once more able to advance aft, and
now on both sides, led by him and by old Handlead, who was among the
first of the second party, the British tars swept the Frenchman's
maindeck fore and aft, cutting down or driving below all before them.

At length, when near the after-hatchway, the Frenchmen made a bold
stand, as if resolved to sell their lives dearly or to drive back their
assailants. Just then, Paul caught sight of True Blue himself,
struggling to get free from between two of the after-guns, to which
place it was evident he had been carried as a prisoner.

"There he is, boys! there is our True Blue!" shouted Paul, and at the
same moment he and his companions dashed on with redoubled energy from
the check they had received, tumbled all the remaining Frenchmen down
into the cockpit, and in another instant Paul had once more grasped his
godson by the hand.

"You deserve one thing, Billy, and you shall do it!" he exclaimed.
"Follow me quick, though."

He sprang up the ladder to the upper deck. Meantime the officers had
placed parties at the hatchways to keep in check those who had taken
refuge below, the remaining few who appeared on the maindeck having
thrown down their arms and prayed for mercy.

On the upper deck stood a gallant few surrounding their Captain, who lay
wounded among them at the foot of the mainmast. They seemed scarcely
aware that their companions below had yielded, and that all hope of
resistance was vain. The rush of the British seamen who now swarmed on
board and swept along the deck undeceived them, and, driven right and
left or overboard, the remainder dropped their swords and asked for
quarter.

Paul, followed by True Blue, had gained the main-rigging. His quick eye
had discovered that the halliards of the Frenchman's flag, that of the
new Republic, led into the top.

"There, boy!" exclaimed Paul, "you must haul that down.