an."

The _Ocean Pride_ was now more closely hauled, and seemed for a time to
bear away from the foe. The movement evidently puzzled the Frenchman.
Was John Bull sheering off? Would he presently put round on the other
tack and show them a clean pair of heels?

Shot after shot came tearing over the water, and when one went clean
through the _Pride's_ rigging and was not even responded to, the
excitement on board the Frenchman grew frantic.

The two vessels were now barely a quarter of a mile from each other,
when suddenly round came the _Pride_ till she was almost dead before the
wind, and began bearing down upon the _Desespere_--for that proved to be
her name--like a whirlwind, and almost right before the wind. The battle
was about to begin in deadly earnest.

And none too soon; for at that moment a cry of sail in sight was heard
from the maintop-mast cross-trees.

"That's her consort," cried Sidney Salt. "Now, men," he shouted, "be
steady and cool; I need not say be brave. We may soon be engaged against
two, unless we gain the day before that frigate's consort puts in an
appearance."

A brave British cheer was the only reply to the captain's short but
pithy speech. The cheer was feebly answered by the enemy, who from her
uncertain movements was evidently puzzled at the apparent change in Sir
Sidney Salt's tactics. It seemed to those on board the _Pride_ that
contrary orders had been issued; for she first luffed, as if to beat to
windward and fight the British frigate beam to beam. Perhaps the courage
of her commander suddenly failed him, and he came to the conclusion that
he ought to ward off the real tug of war till his consort came up.
Anyhow, just as a shot carried away a piece of her jib-boom she
attempted to wear and fill, and in doing so missed stays.

Now came Sir Sidney's chance, and quick as arrow from bow he took
advantage of it. In less time almost than it takes me to describe it, he
had cut across the enemy's stern, and the well-aimed broadside that
raked the _Desespere_ from aft to fore, almost completely placed her at
the mercy of the British frigate. The wheel was shot away, the rudder a
wreck, the mainmast went by the board, and both dead and wounded lay
upon the decks.

There were still men on board her, however, and brave ones too, to man
and fight her guns; and as the _Desespere_ paid off, seemingly of her
own accord, the _Pride_ received her starboard broadside just as she put
about to clo