strange
sail before, on the passage to Bombay; he kept a sharper look out now.

The frigate had got about a third of the way across the Bay of Bengal,
when the second lieutenant, who, much to the surprise of his
subordinates, spent many of his spare moments aloft, made out a sail to
the southward steering west. She was a large ship, but whether
man-of-war or merchantman, friend or foe, it was impossible to say.
Ronald came on deck, and all sail was made in chase; the idea seized him
that the ship in sight was the one of which they were in search.

"I am afraid you will be disappointed," remarked Captain Calder. "She
is probably some homeward-bound Indiaman from China; this would be her
track, remember."

The chase did not alter her course, but all the sail she could carry was
packed on her; she sailed well, but the frigate sailed better; there was
a fear that she might not overtake her till nightfall. Morton walked
the deck with greater impatience than he had ever before exhibited, now
looking out to windward, now at the sails, now at the chase; as the
frigate drew nearer the chase, the opinions were strongly in favour of
her being an Indiaman.

"But if she is, why should she run away?" observed Glover, who was
always inclined to side with Morton.

"An Indiaman she is," observed Rawson. "I hope soon we may be near
enough to send a shot across her fore-foot."

The chase sailed well, and though the frigate gained on her it was not
at a rate to satisfy Morton's impatience. It was getting dusk as they
drew near; his glass had scarcely ever been off the chase.

"That must be the `Osterley;' and yet it is strange," he exclaimed.
"What can have happened to her?"

The frigate at length ranged up alongside. By this time it was dark;
lights were seen glimmering through her ports. Captain Calder hailed.
"Wa, wa, wa," was the only answer he received.

"She must be in the hands of an enemy," he said.

Morton's heart sank within him.

"Heave-to, or we fire!" cried the captain.

In a little time the creaking of blocks was heard, and the Indiaman's
courses being hauled up, she slowly came to the wind. The frigate
hove-to to windward of her, a boat was lowered and manned, and Morton
leaped into her, followed by Glover.

"Give way, lads!" shouted the lieutenant, eagerly.

She was soon alongside; her officers and their followers scrambled on
board: little help was afforded them to do so; on the contrary, the
exp