crew flew aloft to shake out the reefs.

They were thus engaged when a sail was seen to the south-east. The
_Lily_, standing on the opposite tack, rapidly neared her. Every glass
on board was directed towards the stranger. She was a ship apparently
of much the same size as the _Lily_, but whether an English cruiser or
an enemy it was difficult to determine.

The _Lily_, by keeping away, might have weathered the Lizard and avoided
her. Such an idea did not enter the young commander's head. On the
contrary, he kept the ship close to the wind, so that by again going
about he might prevent the stranger from passing him.

His glass had never been off her. Suddenly he exclaimed, "Hurrah! she's
French. I caught sight of her flag as she luffed up! Hands about ship!
We'll fight her, Captain Saltwell?" he added, turning to his former
commander.

"No doubt about it," said Captain Saltwell, "I should if I were in your
place."

The drum beat to quarters, the crew hurried to their stations, and every
preparation was made for the expected battle. The stranger, after
standing on some way, hauled up, so as to keep the weather-gauge, and,
at the same time; to draw the _Lily_ farther away from the English
coast.

Once more the latter tacked, and passing under the stranger's stern,
poured in a raking broadside.

The stranger, coming about, returned the fire; but as the shot flew from
her guns down came her mizenmast, and she fell off before the wind.

The crew of the _Lily_ cheered, and running in their guns, quickly fired
a third broadside.

The two ships now ran on side by side, Rayner having shortened sail so
as to avoid shooting ahead of his antagonist. Notwithstanding the loss
of their mizenmast, the Frenchmen fought with spirit for some time, but
their fire at length began to slacken, while the British seamen
continued to work their guns with the same energy as at first.

Rayner now ordered the mizen-topsail and spanker to be set, and directed
the crews of the starboard guns to refrain from firing until he should
give the word; then putting down the helm, he suddenly luffed up, and
stood across the bows of his opponent.

"Fire!" he cried; and gun after gun was fired in succession, the shot
telling with fearful effect as they swept the deck of the French ship.
The latter put down her helm in a vain attempt to avoid being raked, but
her bowsprit catching in the mizen rigging of the _Lily_, Oliver,
calling to Ja