region of
perpetual fog, the dull booming of a signal gun was heard. Nothing was
to be seen on any side. From the quarter-deck, and from the
cross-trees alike, the eager eyes of the officers and seamen strove in
vain to penetrate the dense curtain of gray fog that shut them in. But
again the signal gun sounded, then another; and tone and direction
alike told that the two reports had not come from the same cannon.
Then a bell was heard telling the hour,--another, still another; then
a whole chorus of bells. Clearly a large fleet was shut in the fog.

[Illustration: Shortening Sail On The "Lancaster"--the Oldest U. S.
Cruiser In Commission.]

About eleven o'clock in the morning the fog lifted, and to their
intense surprise the crew of the "Queen of France" found themselves
close alongside of a large merchant-ship. As the fog cleared away more
completely, ships appeared on every side; and the astonished Yankees
found themselves in the midst of a fleet of about one hundred and
fifty sail under convoy of a British ship-of-the-line, and several
frigates and sloops-of-war. Luckily the United States vessels had no
colors flying, and nothing about them to betray their nationality: so
Capt. Rathburn of the "Queen" determined to try a little masquerading.

Bearing down upon the nearest merchantman, he hailed her; and the
following conversation ensued,--

"What fleet is this?"

"British merchantmen from Jamaica, bound for London. Who are you?"

"His Majesty's ship 'Arethusa,'" answered Rathburn boldly, "from
Halifax on cruise. Have you seen any Yankee privateers?"

"Ay, ay, sir," was the response. "Several have been driven out of the
fleet."

"Come aboard the 'Arethusa,' then. I wish to consult with you."

Soon a boat put off from the side of the merchantman, and a jolly
British sea-captain confidently clambered to the deck of the "Queen."
Great was his astonishment to be told that he was a prisoner, and to
see his boat's crew brought aboard, and their places taken by American
jackies. Back went the boat to the British ship; and soon the
Americans were in control of the craft, without in the least alarming
the other vessels, that lay almost within hail. The "Queen" then made
up to another ship, and captured her in the same manner.

But at this juncture Commodore Whipple, in the "Providence," hailed
the "Queen," and directed Rathburn to edge out of the fleet before the
British men-of-war should discover his true charact