e his
neck-handkerchief for him, and bind up his arm. Having so done, he
continued to do his duty. A bold attempt was now made by the French to
clear their vessel by cutting the fastening of the bowsprit, but the
marines of the _Portsmouth_ were prepared for them, and after about
twenty gallant fellows had dropped down on the booms and gangways of the
_Portsmouth_, the attempt was given up, and four minutes afterwards the
French colours were hauled down. She was boarded from her bowsprit by
the first lieutenant and a party of seamen. The lashings were cast off,
and the vessels cleared of each other, and then the English seamen gave
three cheers in honour of the victory.

CHAPTER FIVE.

LANDING IN CANADA.

The French sixty-gun ship proved to be the _Leonidas_; she had been sent
out with two large frigates on purpose to intercept the convoy, but she
had parted with her consorts in a gale of wind. Her loss of men was
very great; that on board of the _Portsmouth_ was trifling. In a couple
of hours the _Portsmouth_ and her prize in tow were ready to proceed
with the convoy, but they still remained hove to, to wait for the
frigates which were in chase of the captured vessels. All of these were
speedily come up with except the _London Merchant_, which sailed so
remarkably well. At last, to the great joy of Alfred (who as soon as
the bullet had been extracted and his arm dressed, had held his
telescope fixed upon the chase), she hove to, and was taken possession
of. Before night, the convoy were again collected together, and were
steering for their destination. The next morning was clear, and the
breeze moderated. Mrs Campbell, who, as well as the rest, was very
anxious about Alfred, requested Captain Wilson to run down to the
_Portsmouth_, that they might ascertain if he was safe. Captain Wilson
did as she requested, and writing in chalk "all well" in large letters
upon the log-board, held it over the side as he passed close to the
_Portsmouth_. Alfred was not on deck--fever had compelled him to remain
in his hammock--but Captain Lumley made the same reply on the log-board
of the _Portsmouth_, and Mr and Mrs Campbell were satisfied. "How I
should like to see him," said Mrs Campbell.

"Yes, madam," observed Captain Wilson, "but they have too much to do on
board of the _Portsmouth_ just now; they have to repair damages and to
look after the wounded; they have a great quantity of prisoners on
board, as you