to the ship. In vain the Frenchmen endeavoured to free their ship from
the position in which they had placed her. The "Thisbe" stood on,
towing them after her. Scarcely one of their guns could be brought to
bear, but the marines, however, kept up a hot and destructive fire of
musketry on the deck of the frigate, from the tops as well as from some
of her quarter-deck guns which had been run in midships fore and aft.
Though the darkness prevented their taking good aim, no sooner was it
known that the bowsprit was being made fast to the capstan of the
English frigate, than the whole of their fire was turned in that
direction. The lashings were not yet completed. Showers of bullets
fell around the brave men engaged in the work. Several had fallen. The
boatswain did not think of himself, but he dreaded lest his son should
be hit. He was considering on what message he should send him to
another part of the ship, when he felt a sharp blow, his fingers relaxed
from the rope he was grasping, and he fell to the deck. He had the
feeling that he had received his death wound. Ronald saw what had
happened, and in an instant was on his knees supporting his father's
head.

What thought he then of the fierce contest raging? What did he care who
gained the victory? All his feelings were concentrated on his father.
Was he mortally wounded, or would he recover? He entreated some of the
men to carry him below, but they were at that moment too much occupied
to attend to him. Rolf recovered slightly.

"No, no, boy; let me remain here," he said in a firm voice. "All hands
have work enough to do; I am but hit in the leg, and if they would set
me on my feet again I could still be of use."

But Ronald did not heed him, and continued imploring the men to carry
the boatswain below. Just then the lashings were torn away, and the
French frigate floated clear of the "Thisbe." Cries of disappointment
escaped from the English crew, but they redoubled their efforts to
cripple their opponent, so as once more to get hold of her. Meantime
several of the men, being now at liberty, offered to take the boatswain
below, but he desired to be left on deck.

"I'll see the fight out, lads," he answered. "Help me up, some of you,
and pass this handkerchief round the limb. Cheer up, Ronald, I'm not so
badly hurt as you fancy, boy."

"Hurra, lads! here she comes again; we'll have her fast this time,"
shouted the captain at this juncture.

T