coming up.

"What does the captain intend to do?" I asked of Nettleship.

He pointed ahead where the island of Nevis rose green and smiling out of
the blue water.

"Depend on it he won't let the enemy have our tight little frigate if he
can help it," he answered. "My idea is that he'll try and get close in,
and stand round the island, to give a chance to our big enemy to run on
shore."

Shortly after this I heard Nettleship involuntarily exclaim, "See! see!
here it comes!" and as I looked aft I saw the line-of-battle ship
luffing up, and as she did so her whole broadside was discharged at us.

With a fearful uproar the shot came crashing on board. Cries and
shrieks arose from all sides. Well-nigh a dozen of our men were struck
down, and many more were wounded. The most severely hurt of the latter
were carried below. Comparatively little damage, however, had been done
to our spars and rigging, though the rents in our sails showed where the
shot had passed through; while blocks came rattling down on deck, and
several ropes hung in festoons from the yards. Still our stout-hearted
captain held on.

To return the enemy's fire would have been useless, and only the sooner
insure our destruction. We got nearer and nearer the island. The men
were ordered into the chains to heave the lead. The captain and master
examined the chart, which had been brought from the cabin. We had no
doubt of what their intentions were, but we couldn't hear a word they
said. We were gaining on our pursuer, but at the same time the two
frigates were not far astern, while the other ships, which had last been
seen, were coming up rapidly. The men in the chains were heaving the
lead. We were shoaling our water.

"By the mark, nine," was called, and immediately followed by "By the
mark, eight." Before the men in the chains could again cry out, a loud
crash was heard,--every timber in the ship trembled,--the tall masts
quivered.

"We're on shore," I cried out.

"No doubt about that," said Nettleship, "and likely to remain there
too."

The captain at once ordered the men aloft to furl sails.

Our pursuer, not wishing to meet with the same fate, hauled her wind,
and stood to a distance, which left us beyond the reach of her guns.

"Roll them up anyhow. Be smart about it," cried Mr Saunders.

It was done. Then the order came,--"Out boats!"

Every boat was got into the water, and brought over to the starboard
side, with a few