e thinking we are deserters, and
will be hanging us up at the yard-arm."

"I hope it won't go so hard as that with us," answered Bill. "We can
tell them that the Frenchmen took away our clothes, and rigged us out in
these, and we could not help ourselves."

"But will they believe us?" asked Jack.

On that point Bill acknowledged that there was some doubt; either way,
he would be very sorry for Captain Turgot. One thing could be said,
that neither their fears nor wishes would prevent the frigate from
capturing the cutter. They looked upon that as a settled matter. As
long, however, as there was a possibility of escaping, Captain Turgot
resolved to persevere.

Matters began to look serious, when a flash and wreath of smoke was seen
to issue from one of the bow guns of the frigate, and a shot came
jumping over the water towards them. It did not reach them, however.

"You must get nearer, monsieur, before you hurt us," said the captain,
as he watched the shot fall into the water.

Shortly afterwards another followed. It came close up to the cutter;
but a miss is as good as a mile, and the little vessel was none the
worse for it.

Another shot, however, might produce a very different result.

"I say, Bill, I don't quite like the look of things," observed Jack.
"Our skipper had better give in, or one of those shot will be coming
aboard us, and carrying somebody's head off."

"He doesn't look as if he had any thoughts of the sort," said Bill; "and
as long as there is any chance of keeping ahead, he'll stand on."

Soon after Bill had made this remark, another shot was fired from the
frigate, and passed alongside the cutter, falling some way ahead.

Had it been better aimed, the effect might have been somewhat
disastrous. Still Captain Turgot kept at the helm.

Some of the crew, however, began to cry out, and begged him to heave to.
He pointed to the shore.

"Do you want to see your wives and families again?" he asked. "Look
there! How smooth the water is ahead. The wind is falling, and the
frigate will soon be becalmed. She'll not think it worth while to send
her boats after us. Come! out with the sweeps, and we shall soon draw
out of shot of her. Look there! now her topsails are already flapping
against the masts. Be of good courage, my sons!"

Thus incited, the crew got out the sweeps.

Jack and Bill helped them with as much apparent good-will as if they had
had no wish to be on board the friga