, the
_Triumph_, seventy-four, Captain Sir Thomas Hardy, one of the noblest
officers in the British service. Drawing nearer, and directing the
frigate to cast off, he took the prize in tow, and all three ships
proceeded together, as had previously been intended, to Plymouth.
Having arrived at the mouth of the harbour, the _Wolf_ once more took
charge of her prize, while the _Triumph_ again stood out to sea on her
cruise. Cheers saluted the _Wolf_ as she proceeded through the narrow
entrance to Hamoze, and scarcely had she dropped her anchor than
numberless boats were alongside, containing people of all ranks, eager
to hear an account of her victory. As soon as the prisoners and wounded
had been sent on shore, the decks of the prize were crowded with
visitors, and the Frenchmen lost no credit when it was seen to what a
state she had been reduced before they yielded.

Ben found several old friends, with whom he had many long talks, though
what they were about Dick did not hear. The prize agents took charge of
the captured frigate, and her crew returned on board their own ship.
Battered as was the prize, she sold for a good sum, and was bought in by
the Government. Then came pay day, and many a golden guinea jingled in
the victors' pockets, though with most they did not jingle there long.
Leave being given to as many as could be spared to go on shore, scarcely
had the poor fellows landed than they were set upon by harpies of every
description, whose object was to extract the said golden guineas, which
Jack--not knowing what to do with--was willing enough to throw away.
Some of the brave heroes might have been seen driving about in a coach
and four, crowding the vehicle inside and out, with bottles and mugs on
the roof, cheering as they went. Others might have been met with
parading the streets, bedecked with pinchbeck watches and chains, which
they had purchased under the belief that they were pure gold; seldom
without a companion of the other sex on their arm, dressed out in the
finery their money had bought. The dancing saloons and grog shops were
crowded, few troubling themselves as to how the seamen were employed,
provided that they returned on board in due time with empty pockets,
ready to fight the battles of Old England, and win more prize-money, to
be expended in the same senseless fashion.

The crew of the _Wolf_ had been turned over to a hulk, while the
dockyard people took possession of her to repair the