stle--and here they were made acquainted with each other, though
Danby had already heard the history of the man who was coming into his
ship.

"I am very glad to see you, sir," he said quietly. "I know your
story--at least so far as it concerns me. I only trust you will
encounter some of your late friends' galleys and be able to repay them
for some of the kindnesses they once testified toward you."

So St. Georges became a sailor once more--though in a very different
manner from what he had last been--and as master's mate sailed in the
Blue Squadron of Russell's fleet against the French fleet under
Tourville.

The Dutch allies were coming in rapidly ere they left St. Helen's and
Spithead on the 26th of April, and already of the fleet of thirty-six
ships under Van Almonde many had joined. Their first cruise was,
however of no result; they simply picked up their pilots from the
Sally Rose, these men having been got from Jersey, and observed that
all along the peninsula of Cotentin--where James and Marshal
Bellefonds were encamped--great beacons were burning by night. They
knew, therefore, that France expected the English fleet. A little
later, while once more they lay off Spithead and St. Helen's, they
knew that Tourville had put to sea to meet them. Fishermen coming into
harbour, spies sent out in various directions, the Sally Rose
herself--all brought the news that the French admiral was on the
sea--his squadron headed by his own flagship, Le Soleil Royal, and by
Le Triumphant and L'Ambitieux, had been seen from Portland cliffs.

The time had come.

On May 18th that great English fleet, formed into two squadrons--the
Red commanded by Russell, Delaval, and Cloudesley Shovell, and the
Blue by Sir John Ashby, Rooke, and Carter--and followed by the Dutch,
stood away from the English coast, their course south and south by
west. Swiftly, too, when clear of the Isle of Wight, the line of
battle was formed, the Tyger leading the starboard and the Centurion
the larboard tacks. And so they sailed to meet the enemy, and to
frustrate the last attack of any importance ever made by the French to
invade England.

It was not long ere that frustration commenced.

Scouts coming back swiftly on the morning of the 19th reported the
enemy in full force near them, and from the Britannia ran out the
signal--received with cheers from thousands of throats--to "clear the
ships for action!" And St. Georges, busy with his own work, knew t