ing to Grey to
haul up again, when Billy Wise, who was stationed forward, sang out--

"Starboard--starboard the helm--or we shall run down the frigate!"

Sure enough, in half a minute, we were gliding by close under her stern.
A voice from the deck hailed us.

"What schooner is that?"

"The ---, I don't know her name--prize to the second cutter of His
Majesty's frigate Doris," I answered. "We've a heap of prisoners, and I
don't know what to do with them!"

"Heave-to, and we will send a boat on board," was shouted in return.

Day was just breaking, and the increasing light enabled us to manage
better than we could otherwise have done. We had now less fear of our
enemies breaking loose, so all hands were able to assist in getting some
after sail on the vessel, and bringing her up to the wind.

"Now we shall catch it for all this," said Grey, as we saw the boat
pulling towards us from the frigate.

"I hope not," said I. "At all events, we must make the best of it.
There's Mr Fitzgerald in the boat. We'll get him to stand our friend."

"Well, boys, this is a nate piece of work you've been after doing now!"
remarked our handsome second lieutenant, as he surveyed the deck. "You
don't mean to say that you captured all these heroes?"

"Every one of them, sir," said Grey, with perfect seriousness. "I hope
the captain won't be angry."

"There's no saying. However, we'll see," he answered with a smile.

We now made more sail, and ran in close under the lee of the frigate.

Perigal was sent on board the schooner to take charge of her, and the
prisoners were transferred to the deck of the frigate, where the captain
and most of the officers were assembled. Mr Johnson met me. He had
just time to say, "I congratulate you, Mr Merry. You've done well.
You are worthy of my teaching!" when the prisoners were summoned aft.

We had given the old colonel his sword, that he might present it in due
form. He marched aft at the head of his men, and presented it to
Captain Collyer with a profound bow.

The Captain then addressed him. I was afterwards told what he said. It
was--

"I am surprised, monsieur, that you, an experienced soldier, who have
seen much service, should allow yourself and your men to be captured by
a single boat's crew and two midshipmen."

"Ma foi!" exclaimed the colonel, with an inimitable shrug of his
shoulders, and an indescribable expression of countenance, indicative of
intense disgust. "