as ever. His courage kept up that of the crew. The enemy
was frequently hulled. Now one spar was shot away; now another; his
fire slackened. The British crew cheered lustily. That hearty cheer
must have been heard along the Frenchman's decks. It showed him that
though his enemy was almost dismantled, the courage of the people was as
undaunted as ever.

"We may not take him, but we may prevent his taking us," observed
Morton, as he moved among the crew.

Just then the Frenchman's bow was seen to move up closer to the wind;
his tacks were hauled aboard, the breeze was freshening, and away he
stood on a bowline under all the sail he could set, leaving the
astonished crew of the British ship rubbing their eyes and wondering
what he was about. They, however, did not cease sending their shot
after him, as a parting compliment.

"She has but hauled off to repair damages," observed the third
lieutenant to the captain.

"Not so sure of that, Trenane," answered Captain Courtney; "probably her
captain and other superior officers have been killed or wounded, and the
rest suspect that we should prove too tough a morsel for them to
digest."

Captain Courtney seemed to be right in his conjectures; the French
frigate stood on.

All hands were instantly set to work to repair damages, to be ready for
her in case she should return. Many an eye cast an anxious glance in
the direction in which she was steering. The brave crew would have
welcomed her back, but they wished to be ready first to receive her.

Again she was observed to alter her course.

"She is coming back!" was the cry. "Hurra, lads, we'll give it her if
she does."

They watched her eagerly. She was steering to the northward under all
sail. There could be little doubt that she was in pursuit of the
"Concorde." More energetically than ever the crew worked away, in the
hopes of being in a condition to go to the aid of their consort; but
every instant the wind was increasing, the sea was getting up, and their
task became more difficult. Dark clouds were gathering in the western
horizon. It was evident that a gale was brewing, and there were
appearances that it would be a severe one. The safety of the ship
demanded all the care of the officers and the redoubled exertions of the
men. The guns were secured, the shot holes stopped, the rigging knotted
and spliced as strongly as time would allow; everything moveable below
was lashed, and the ship's head w