lar
service, the master of the lugger was allowed to proceed on his way, and
the _Thisbe_ stood back towards Cherbourg.

The day passed, and no enemy appeared. Next morning, however, a sail
was seen to the northward. Captain Martin immediately bore up to
ascertain her character. As the daylight increased, all felt confident
that she was a frigate, and probably French. The stranger was seen to
be carrying a press of canvas, and apparently steering for Cherbourg.
To re-enter that port she must encounter the _Thisbe_, on board which
preparations were made for the expected engagement. The stranger, too,
continuing her course, hauled her wind, and stood down Channel, as if
anxious to escape. Why she did so it was difficult to say, except on
the possibility that she had seen another English ship to the northward,
and was unwilling to encounter two enemies at once.

It was the general opinion that she was a powerful frigate, considerably
larger than the _Thisbe_; but even if such were the case, Captain Martin
was not the man to be deterred from engaging her. The stranger sailed
well, and there appeared every probability that she would distance the
_Thisbe_, and if she wished it, get back to port without coming to
action.

In a short time the weather became very thick, and, to the
disappointment of all, the stranger was lost sight of. Still the
_Thisbe_ continued her course, and many a sharp pair of eyes were
employed in looking out for the Frenchman, it being difficult to say,
should the fog lift, in what direction she might next be seen. She
might tack and run back to Cherbourg, or she might, trusting to her
superior sailing, stand across the _Thisbe's_ bows to the southward.

A couple of hours passed. As at any moment the fog might clear away,
and the stranger might appear close aboard her, the _Thisbe_ prepared
for immediate action. The men had been sent below to dinner, and the
prospect of a fight did not damp their appetites.

The midshipmen had finished theirs, and Rayner, who had just relieved
one of his messmates on deck, was on the look-out when he espied, away
on the larboard bow, a sail through the fog, which had somewhat
dispersed in that quarter. A second glance convinced him that she was a
large ship. He instantly shouted out the welcome intelligence. Every
one hoped that she was the vessel they were in search of. The drum beat
to quarters, and scarcely were the guns run out than the fog clear