e Blue as his own son; and as to making him a seaman, we
none on us would dream of anything else. It would be utterly impossible
and unnatural like. Set your mind at rest, mate, about that. But I
say, Will, wouldn't it do your heart good to have a look at the
younker?"

"Not up here; a shot might hit him, remember," answered the poor father.
"And if they was to move me, I don't think that I should ever be got
below alive. No, no, Paul; I'll stay here. It's the best place for a
sailor to die."

Just then there was a cry that the enemy's ships were retreating. First
the Count de Guichen's own ship, the huge _Couronne_, was seen standing
out of the action, followed by the _Triomphant_ and _Fendant_, leaving
the _Sandwich_ in so battered a condition that she could not follow.
The other ships imitated their leader's example. One after another, the
British ships found themselves without opponents. They endeavoured to
make sail and follow; but their running rigging was so cut up that few
could set their sails, while the masts of many went over their sides.
All they could do, therefore, was to send their shot rapidly after the
flying enemy, and give vent to their feelings in loud hurrahs and shouts
of contempt. The Frenchmen little thought how well this same running
away was teaching the English to beat them, as they did in many a
subsequent combat, until, learning to respect each other's bravery, they
became firm friends and allies, and such, it is to be hoped, they may
remain till the end of time.

The sound of the shouts seemed to revive poor Will Freeborn.

"Now, mate, you'll see Billy, won't you?" said Paul. "It'll do your
heart good."

Will smiled his assent. He was feeling no pain then. A boy was sent to
summon Sam and the baby. Meantime the doctor came on deck.

"Let him lie here," said he after a short examination; "his moments are
numbered."

Sam soon appeared. Paul took Billy from him, and, kneeling down, held
the baby to the lips of the dying father. The men, no longer required
to work the guns, clustered round the group. Will kissed his child and
held him for a moment in his grasp.

"Shipmates," said he, raising his voice, "you'll all of you be kind to
little True Blue--I know you will; there's no use asking you. And God
will look after him--I know He will, and forgive me my sins. Here,
Paul, take the child--I'm slipping my cable, shipmates!"

He turned his eyes on the infant, and, poin