llow feeling for Ronald. He remembered his
own annoyances under similar circumstances, and he fancied that Ronald
would have to undergo the same. He had, hitherto, scarcely spoken to
Ronald, but no sooner did he take the command of the "Concorde," than he
singled him out to superintend any work requiring more than usual care
and judgment.

Ronald in no way disappointed him; everybody, indeed, on board the
prize, worked well, and with a will, and in a wonderfully short space of
time jury-masts were rigged, and sails were ready for hoisting.

It was evening; the two frigates lay within a few hundred fathoms of
each other: the "Thisbe," from having her foremasts standing, had a far
wider range of vision than her prize. "The `Thisbe' is signalling us,
sir," said Morton to Mr Calder.

"Get the signal-book, and see what she is saying," was the answer.

The meaning of the signals was soon ascertained.

"A sail in the south-west," Morton read; "An enemy--Prepare for action."

"That's just like him," exclaimed Mr Calder; "if the stranger was a
seventy-four he would prepare to fight her. It is to be hoped, though,
that she is only another frigate, and then, in spite of the loss of our
masts, we may be able to give a good account of her."

Ronald was ready enough to fight, but could not help thinking that they
just then had had enough of it, and therefore hoped that the stranger
might prove a friend.

Some time must elapse before the point could be ascertained, and during
the interval every effort was made to get sail on the two ships, not for
the purpose of flying, but to enable them the better to manoeuvre,
should fighting be the order of the day.

At length Ronald went below to snatch a mouthful of food, and took the
opportunity of paying a visit to the wounded midshipman, Alfonse
Gerardin. He had been placed in the gun-room with the rest of the
French officers; he lifted up his head as Ronald entered the cabin.

After returning the salutation, he remained silent, and then he
exclaimed, somewhat bitterly, "Ah, how different are our lots! you have
gained a victory, have come out of the battle unhurt, and have been
placed on the first step of the ladder, up which you may climb to the
highest--while here I lie, a prisoner badly wounded, and, alas! have
just discovered that I have lost the only friend I had in the world."

"Oh, you are mistaken; I am sure that I have many, and so would you if
you proved them," said