Bill quickly tumbled into the boat, though, as soon as they
were on board, they cast wistful glances at their raft.

The officer ordered the men to give way, and steered the boat towards
the frigate. He now asked the lads how they came to be in France.

Bill briefly described how the _Foxhound_ had blown up, and the way in
which they had been taken on board a French fishing-vessel, and their
various adventures on shore.

"That's curious enough," observed the lieutenant, "for we have on board
the frigate most of those who escaped."

The officer, who was the third lieutenant of the frigate, had learned
the greater part of their history by the time the boat got up to her.

He and most of the crew quickly climbed on board, followed by the boys.

The falls were hooked on, and the boat hoisted up.

Whom should Jack and Bill see standing on the deck, and issuing his
orders to the crew to "brace round the yards," but Mr Saltwell, the
first lieutenant of their former ship.

They stood for some minutes by themselves, for everybody was too much
engaged to attend to them. The frigate's head was now turned in the
direction of the stranger they had seen to the eastward, towards which
they observed that the glasses of several of the officers were directed.

"Though she has not shown her colours, I feel positive that she's
French," observed the captain to Mr Saltwell.

"I hope that you are right, sir," was the answer; "but we shall scarcely
get up to her before dark."

"We shall get near enough to make the private signal," said the captain,
"and if she does not answer it we shall know how to treat her when we do
get up to her."

All the sail the frigate could carry was set, and as the breeze had
increased, she ran rapidly through the water.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE FRIGATE IN ACTION--BILL SHOWS THAT HE CAN BE OF USE.

The stranger, which had apparently been beating down Channel, now put up
her helm, and setting studden sails stood to the eastward before the
wind. She failed also to answer the private signal; no doubt,
therefore, remained that she was French, and wished to avoid an action,
though, as she appeared to be as large as the English frigate, if not
larger, this was somewhat surprising.

"Perhaps she has some consorts to the eastward, and wishes to lead us
into their midst during the night," observed Mr Saltwell.

"She will find that she's mistaken. We will keep too bright a look-out
to be so caught,