ur, having
charge of the batteries, and Wallingford, on deck with the captain, in
command of the sail trimmers, who were clustered about the masts, the
sloop being still heavily manned.

"Man the starboard battery," said the captain, in a low but distinct
voice; "men, we 've got our work cut out for us to-night. No cheering
until the first shot is fired, and no firing till I give the order, and
then, all together, give it to them. Do you understand?"

A chorus of subdued "Ay, ays" indicated that the orders were heard.

"Mr. Wallingford, do you stand ready to back the maintopsail when she
is alongside, though if she attempts to pass in front of us we 'll up
helm and take her on the port side. Two of you after-guards go below
and bring up the captain of the Mellish. Lively, we shall soon have
the sloop down on us."

In a few moments the unfortunate British skipper was standing on the
poop-deck beside Captain Jones.

"Now, my man, you are the master of the Mellish, are you not?"

"I was a few moments ago," replied the man, sullenly.

"Well, you are to stand right here, and answer hails just as I tell
you; do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Williams, you and another hold him, and if he hesitates to answer, or
answers other than I tell him, blow his brains out. Now we have
nothing to do but wait. Keep her a good full at the helm there."

"Ay, ay, sir," replied the veteran quartermaster, stationed at the con.
Meanwhile the Juno had come abeam of the vessel next ahead of the
Ranger, and the conversation which followed was as plainly audible in
the latter ship as had been the beating to quarters just after she wore.

"Providence ahoy there!" came from the Juno. "What is the matter?
What are you burning blue lights for?"

"Nothing is the matter with us, sir, but we heard pistol shots and
cries on the Mellish astern, and thought we saw two ships instead of
one. It's so beastly black to-night we could n't make out anything
very well."

"All right; better keep off a little, out of the way. I will run down
and see what's wrong."

The present course of the Juno would have brought her across the bows
of the Ranger, but the ships were nearing so rapidly that a collision
would have resulted, so the Juno was kept away a little, and soon ran
down on the lee bow of the Ranger. The two ships were thus placed side
by side, the Ranger on the port tack having the advantage of the
weather gauge of the Juno, which had the