rig is American,
and so is one of the sloops. The sternmost is French, and is a biggish
ship."

"Whatever they are, we'll fight them, and, I hope, take one or two at
least," answered the captain.

He looked at his watch. It was just ten o'clock. The next moment the
headmost ship opened her fire, and the shot came whizzing between the
ship's masts.

Captain Waring watched them as they flew through the air.

"I thought so," he observed. "There were not more than fifteen; she's a
store-ship, and will be our prize before the day is over. Fire, my
lads!" he shouted; and the eager crew poured a broadside into the enemy,
rapidly running in their guns, and reloading them to be ready for the
next opponent.

The _Foxhound_ was standing along the enemy's line to windward, and as
she came abreast of each ship she fired with well-directed aim; and
though all the enemy's ships in succession discharged their guns at her,
not a shot struck her hull, though their object evidently was to cripple
her, so that they might surround her and have her at their mercy.

Tom, who had read about sea-fights, and had expected to have the shot
come rushing across the deck, felt much more comfortable on discovering
this, and began to look upon the Frenchmen as very bad gunners.

The _Foxhound's_ guns were all this time thundering away as fast as the
crews could run them in and load them, the men warming to their work as
they saw the damage they were inflicting on the enemy.

Having passed the enemy's line to windward, Captain Waring ordered the
ship to be put about, and bore down on the sternmost French ship, which,
with one of smaller size carrying the American pennant, was in a short
time so severely treated that they both bore up out of the line. The
_Foxhound_, however, followed, and the other French ships and the
American brig coming to the assistance of their consorts, the _Foxhound_
had them on both sides of her.

This was just what her now thoroughly excited crew desired most, as they
could discharge their two broadsides at the same time; and right
gallantly did she fight her way through her numerous foes till she got
up with the American ship, which had been endeavouring to escape before
the wind, and now, to avoid the broadside which the English ship was
about to pour into her, she hauled down her colours.

On seeing this, the frigate's crew gave three hearty cheers; and as soon
as they had ceased, the captain's voice was he