ts, and I am sure that of all on board, if fight we must, we
will all be ready to stand by you to the last. Victory does not always
side with the biggest."

Sail was accordingly made to the north-west, but no sooner had she
shaped a course than the frigate under a cloud of canvas came tearing
after her at a rate which proved that the "Vestal" had not a chance of
escaping. The crew showed by unmistakeable signs that they expected to
be captured, by going below and putting on their best clothes. Pearce
called them aft, "Lads, we have served together for three years, and
done many a deed to be proud of. Do not let the Frenchmen boast that
they took us without our having done our best to prevent them. I
purpose to fight that frigate if you will stand by me, and that I am
sure you will."

"Aye, aye, that we will, and would if she were twice as big, and sink at
our guns before we strike," shouted Dick Rogers, and their loud cheers
expressed the sentiments of the rest. The corvette at once prepared for
action, and as soon as all was ready she shortened sail to allow the
frigate to come up, greatly to the Frenchmen's surprise probably. The
latter began firing as soon as her guns could reach the corvette. "Let
not a shot be returned till I give the order, lads," cried Ripley; "we
must throw none away." He waited till his carronades would tell with
effect. "Now give it them, lads," he shouted.

The heavy shot crashed against the side of the frigate in a way which
astonished the Frenchmen. With wonderful rapidity the guns were run in,
loaded, and again sent forth their death-dealing shower of iron, this
time tearing through the frigate's upper bulwarks, sweeping across
quarterdeck and wounding her masts. "Hurrah! we have knocked away her
wheel," cried Bonham, who had sprung into the mizen rigging to ascertain
the effect of the last broadside; "she's ours, if we are smart with our
guns."

The Frenchmen had just fired a broadside which had killed three of the
"Vestal's" crew, knocked one of her boats to pieces, and done other
damage, but had not materially injured her running rigging. Firing
another broadside in return, Pearce saw that by wearing sharp round he
could pass under the stern of the frigate, and at the same time bring a
fresh broadside to bear on her. The manoeuvre was rapidly executed, the
effect was very great on board the enemy. The crew were seen to be
hurrying to and fro as if in dread of some eve