rs. The smallest of
them carries as many guns as we do, and once a prisoner on board a ship
there is no slipping away."

"We are not prisoners yet, Jack, and I don't think that Mordaunt will
strike his flag without a struggle, though they are six to one. He is
just his father over again as far as courage goes."

"Well, I hope, anyhow, the earl will get away," Jack said. "If it hadn't
been for all those state papers he is burdened with I am sure he would
have stuck to the Resolution and fought it out. It would be just
the kind of desperate adventure to suit him. See, he has reached the
Enterprise, and she and the Milford Haven are spreading every sail; but
although they will leave us behind I question whether they will outsail
the French. They are coming up fast."

"It will soon be dark," Graham said, "and they may be able to slip away.
You may be sure the French will attend to us first, as being the most
valuable prize."

"Well, gentlemen," Captain Mordaunt said, coming up to them, "you are
going to have a piece of new experience. I know you have been through
some apparently hopeless conflicts on land with my father, but I don't
think you have ever seen a sea fight."

"Are you going to fight them all, sir?" Jack asked.

"I am going to try," the captain said. "My orders were to go to Leghorn,
and to Leghorn I mean to go if the ship floats; but I tell you honestly
I do not think there is much chance of our getting there. Still, as long
as the ship floats, the British flag will float over her."

"Is there anything we can do, sir?" Jack asked. "We shall be happy
to serve as volunteers in any capacity in which you think we may be
useful."

"Until it comes to boarding I fear that you cannot help," the
captain said, "except by walking about between decks and cheering and
inspiriting the men. The presence of officers looking cool and confident
among them always does good. If the enemy try to board us you shall
fight by my side."

The two fastest sailing French vessels were so close when night fell
that it was hopeless to try to evade them either by changing the ship's
course or by lowering the sails. At ten o'clock they were less than a
mile astern, one on either quarter. The ship had long since been ready
for action, and the men were now called to the guns; but the enemy did
not open fire, but could, by the night glasses, be seen somewhat
to shorten sail so as to keep about the same distance behind the
Resolution.