ight enable them to capture her.

The day wore on, and fears were entertained that the chase would escape
during the darkness of the night. Every stitch of canvas which the
frigate could carry was set on her, while the sails which could be
reached were kept constantly wet, that no wind might pass through them.
The crew cheered with glee when they found that their efforts were not
without good effect, and that the frigate at last was overhauling the
chase. At length she got near enough to fire a bow-chaser. The shot
took effect, and cut away several of her braces. This allowed the sails
to fly wildly in the air. In consequence, the frigate now came up more
rapidly, and, as she did so, continued firing with good effect. The
chase at length let fly all her sheets, and hauled down the French flag,
which had just before been run up. As soon as the frigate hove to,
Lieutenant Deane was ordered to board the prize with a boat's crew. She
proved to be a rich merchant vessel outward-bound to the French colonies
on the Main, with a large and valuable assorted cargo, and was evidently
a prize worth taking.

The captain of the "Venus" was ordered to send in his prizes, as he
should take them, to Port Royal, but as long as he had sufficient men to
fight his ship not to return himself. It was important, however, that
so rich a prize should be carefully navigated, and he accordingly
ordered his junior lieutenant--John Deane--to take charge of her with a
crew of fifteen men, to carry her into Port Royal. Ten of her former
crew volunteered to assist in navigating her, and they were allowed to
remain, while the rest, with the captain and officers, were carried on
board the "Venus."

Jack now found himself for the first time in his life in command of a
large ship. As may be supposed, he had not been asleep all the time he
had been at sea, and he already possessed a very good knowledge of
seamanship, as well as of navigation. He had no doubt, therefore, that
he should be able safely to carry his prize to her destined port.

Two midshipmen were sent with him to act as lieutenants, and an old
quarter-master to do the duty of boatswain. Jack was a great favourite
among all with whom he had served, both with his superiors and with
those beneath him. His two young midshipmen--Dick Lovatt and Ned
Hawke--had become particularly-attached to him, while Will Burridge, the
old quarter-master, would have gone through fire and water to