pite of
all his efforts, dragged him forward. I, in the meantime, was taken
aft, and had just reached the companion-hatch, down which the men were
going to thrust me, when the captain came running along the deck,
shouting out to his crew. My captors let go of me. In an instant, the
halliards, tacks, and sheets were manned; sail was rapidly made; and,
two or more reefs having been taken in, away we stood, close-hauled as
near to the north-west as the wind would allow. I soon learned the
reason of this proceeding. To my great joy, on looking eastward, I
discovered the frigate looming through the darkness, about half gun-shot
distance from us. Whether the lugger was seen by those on board or not
was a question. I rather suspected that Captain Collyer had stood back
to look for Toby and me, though it was almost as hopeless as looking for
a needle in a bundle of hay, I felt very sure that he would search for
us, and that he would rather lose the chance of capturing the schooner
than lose us; indeed, I hope that there are not many naval officers who
would not have done the same. I anxiously watched the Doris, to see
what she would do. The Frenchmen very naturally believed that she was
coming after them. While the men were flattening in the sheets, Toby
made his escape, and came up to me.

"Oh, Muster Merry, who be these people? Where be they taking us to?
What be they going to do to us?" he asked in a subdued, frightened tone.

"Never mind," said I, "_look there_."

I pointed to the frigate, which, as far as I could judge, seeing her
through the darkness, had three reefs down in her topsails, and was
standing towards us, heeling over to the gale.

"Hurra!" shouted Toby, "All right now; she'll soon be sending this here
craft to the bottom. Hurra!"

"Very likely," said I. "But we, perhaps, shall have to go with her,
and, just now, the less noise we make the better, or the Frenchmen may
be sending us below." Toby was silent.

No sooner were the lugger's sails hoisted than she was perceived, and in
half a minute, to set the matter at rest, a shot from a thirty-nine
pounder came flying between the masts. Toby ducked his head. He saw,
however, that I did not move mine. I had had so many flying about my
ears the night we took the Chevrette that I had got quite accustomed to
them. Another shot came, and Toby's head did not move, as far as I
could see. I dare say he blinked his eyes a little; but, as it was
d