e quarter-galleries
are boarded up."

"Then, Tom, just look if they have not beat them out, for you know they
may climb on deck by them."

It was fortunate that Bramble mentioned this. I went aft with the
handspike in my hand, and when I was about to look over, I met face to
face a Frenchman, who had climbed out of the starboard quarter-gallery,
and was just gaming the deck. A blow with the handspike sent him
overboard, and he went astern; but another was following him, and I
stood prepared to receive him. It was the officer in command, who spoke
English. He paused at the sight of the other man falling overboard and
my uplifted handspike; and I said to him, "It's of no use--look at the
English men-of-war close to you: if you do not go back to the cabin, and
keep your men quiet, when the men-of-war's men come on board we will
show you no quarter."

We were now entering the Medway; and the Frenchman perceived that they
could not escape, and would only bring mischief on themselves by any
farther assaults, so he got into the quarter-gallery again, and spoke to
his men. As soon as I perceived that he was entering, I ran over to the
other side to the larboard quarter-gallery, and there again I found a
Frenchman had nearly gained the deck. I levelled the handspike at his
head, but he dodged, and returned to the cabin by the way he came; and
after that there were no more attempts at recovering the vessel. In five
minutes more we were abreast of the Euphrosyne, Sir James O'Connor's
frigate, which was now lying, with only her lower masts in, alongside of
the hulk. I hailed for assistance, and let fly the foretop-mast staysail
sheet, while Bramble rounded the ship to. The boats were sent on board
immediately; and as we had not a cable bent, they made the ship fast to
the hulk astern of them. We stated our case in few words to the officer;
and having ascertained that Sir James O'Connor was on board, requested
that we might be sent to the frigate.

"Is it you?" said Sir James, as I came on the gangway; "what is it all
about--are you hurt? Come down in the cabin."

Bramble and I followed him down into the cabin; and I stated the whole
particulars of the capture and re-capture.

"Excellent--most excellent! I wish you both joy; but first we must have
the surgeon here" Sir James rang the bell; and when the surgeon came he
went on deck to give orders.

[Illustration: I MET FACE TO FACE A FRENCHMAN.--Marryat, Vol. X., p.
493.]