s
seen to be a frigate, and no doubt her late antagonist. Captain
Saltwell at once bore down on her, making a signal to the prize to do so
likewise, and at the same time running up several signals as if speaking
another ship to windward.

On this the frigate, making all sail, stood away, and as she had the
heels both of the _Lily_ and her prize, was soon out of sight.

Captain Saltwell, satisfied, as he had every reason to be, with his
achievement, ordered the course to be shared for Jamaica.

On his arrival he found his commission as post-captain waiting for him.
He had won it by constant and hard service.

"As I cannot reward you for the gallant way in which you beat off the
French frigate and recaptured the merchant ship worth several thousand
pounds, I must see what can be done for your first lieutenant," said the
admiral. "I will apply for his promotion, and in the meantime will give
him an acting order to command the _Lily_, and to take her home."

Captain Saltwell, thanking the admiral, expressed his intention to take
a passage in his old ship.

The news quickly spread fore and aft that the _Lily_ was to be sent
home. Loud cheers rose from many a stout throat, the invalids, of which
there were not a few, joining in the chorus from below. One-third of
those who had come out had either fallen fighting in the many actions in
which she had been engaged, or, struck down by yellow fever, lay in the
graveyard of Port Royal. No time was lost in getting fresh water and
provisions on board.

Never did crew work with more good-will than they did on this occasion.

The _Lily_ was soon ready for sea, and with a fair breeze ran out of
Port Royal harbour. The war was still raging as furiously as ever, and
the officers and crew well knew that before they could reach the shores
of old England they might have another battle or two to fight. Perhaps,
in their heart of hearts, they would have preferred, for once in a way,
a peaceful voyage. A look-out, however, was kept, but the Atlantic was
crossed, and the chops of the Channel reached, without meeting a foe.
Here the _Lily_ encountered a strong easterly gale, and in vain for many
days endeavoured to beat up to her destination.

Having sighted Scilly, she was standing off the land, from which she was
at a considerable distance under close-reefed topsails, when the wind
suddenly dropped, and soon afterwards shifted to the southwards. The
helm was put down, and the