ates were seen to be reefing topsails. "Why, they are not
going to desert us, I hope!" exclaimed Tony. "No, no, they are getting
under snugger canvas for more easy handling, depend on that," I
answered, laughing; "they are after us again--hurrah!" Before long the
largest frigate approached, and suddenly hauling up, fired her
broadside, which would have proved most destructive, had not the
_Droits-de-l'Homme_ hauled up likewise, the troops which were posted on
the upper-deck and poop replying with a heavy discharge of musketry.
Fortunately, perhaps, for us, though we did not consider it so at the
time, one of the French officers thought of sending us to join the other
prisoners in the cable tier, out of harm's way. Most unwillingly we
descended, though we should have run a great chance of having had our
heads knocked off without the honour and glory. On getting below we
found ourselves placed under guard, in almost total darkness. The big
ship rolled and tumbled in a way which made it appear as if the waves
alone would wrench her asunder; the great guns roared with greater
frequency, the musketry rattled, the shot from the active frigates came
crashing on board and tearing through the stout planks; there was the
tramp of men bearing their wounded comrades below; their shrieks and
groans, as the surgeons attempted in vain to operate on their shattered
limbs; and the rush of water which came through the ports, with the
fearful rolling of the ship. All these various sounds gave us an idea,
and not a pleasant one, of the work going on above our heads. Now and
then, too, louder reports and more terrific crashes told of guns
bursting, and masts gone by the board. Hour after hour passed by, and
still the fearful uproar continued. We prisoners would all of us rather
have been on deck, notwithstanding the more than possibility of having
our heads knocked off, than shut up in the dark, bilge-water smelling,
stifling hold. "I say, these Frenchmen fight bravely, but I wish that
they would give in; it would be wiser in them, and they must before
long," observed Fenwick, as he sat on a cask by my side, kicking his
heels against the staves.

"All in good time," I answered. "But consider that this ship carries
more guns than the two frigates put together, and of heavier metal; and
aboard here there are more than twice as many men as will be found
between them. There will be a tough fight before we get our liberty,
but we sh