Mrs Massey and Captain Tracy. Owen would, however, have again to go to
sea, but neither he nor Norah liked to talk of the subject, and wisely
forebore thinking about it.

Norman was expecting to enjoy some months on shore, when he and Gerald
received orders to join the _Aeolus_, 32-gun frigate, which was at that
time cruising off the Irish coast. On getting on board they found
several of their old shipmates. They had been at sea for some time when
the _Aeolus_ was joined by the _Pallas_ and _Brilliant_ frigates, soon
after which a gale coming on compelled the squadron to put into Kinsale
harbour. Here they were lying repairing some slight damages they had
received, when a courier arrived in hot haste with the information that
a French squadron of three frigates, under the command of Captain
Thurot, had attacked the town of Carrickfergus and plundered the place,
and had had the audacity to demand contributions from Belfast, which he
threatened to treat in the same way. Captain Elliott, who commanded the
_Aeolus_, and was senior captain, immediately put to sea with the other
frigates in search of the Frenchmen. He soon gained information that
they had left Carrickfergus, and were apparently intending to return to
France. As far as force was concerned his ships carried the same number
of guns as the Frenchmen, but the latter had many more men on board.
He, however, felt confident of victory.

The three frigates were standing towards the Isle of Man, when, early in
the morning, the French squadron was seen approaching from the
northward. Thurot could not possibly escape without an action had he
wished it. He commanded the _Marshal Belleisle_, of forty-four guns,
and had with him the _Blonde_ and _Terpsichore_. Nor was he a man to
yield as long as a hope of victory remained: his character was well
known to all on board the British ships.

Norman Foley and Gerald had taken part in not a few actions, but they
felt that this was likely to prove, though short, as severe as any in
which they had fought.

The crews were piped to breakfast as usual. It was quickly got over,
and then every man went to his gun and stood ready for the fight. At
nine o'clock the first shot was fired, and the _Aeolus_, ranging up
alongside the brave Thurot's ship, hotly engaged her. The battle lasted
for upwards of an hour, the English firing with a rapidity which told
fearfully on their enemies.

The _Blonde_ and _Terpsichore_ at le