. Captain Winslow and
his officers, after a long look at the former, pronounced her to be the
very ship which had captured them. Ronald longed to try and turn the
tables, and to take her, but a glance at the passengers made him feel
that his duty was in this case to do his utmost to escape. A bright
look-out was kept for the frigate.

"If the mounseers catches sight of she, they'll be inclined to put the
helm down pretty sharp, and go about on t'other tack," observed Job
Truefitt.

As the stranger approached all doubt as to what she was vanished. She
had before proved herself a good sailer. She maintained her character,
and with a regret almost amounting to anguish, Ronald saw that there was
little probability of avoiding a fight. He had brave men under him, but
the Indiaman was badly armed, and the enemy had before found her an easy
prey.

"We must, I fear, Winslow, place the ladies and children below, as you
did before," he observed, with a sigh. "I pray heaven the frigate may
heave in sight, for the honest truth is, I never felt so little inclined
to fight; yet, if fight we must, I should never fight more fiercely."

"Spoke like a brave man, Morton," answered his friend. "When I have
helpless women and children under my charge, though I would fight to the
last gasp to protect them, I would always rather run than fight."

"Sail ho! ho-o!" shouted the man at the mast-head, with a prolonged
cadence.

"Where away?" asked Morton.

"To the north-west," was the reply.

His heart gave a bound; it was the quarter in which the frigate was
likely to appear. He kept away a little towards her. The "Thisbe"
showed her number. The "Osterley" signalised, "We have all safe on
board. An enemy to the south-east."

There was no time for further greeting. The frigate made all sail and
stood on. The tables were now fairly turned. The Frenchman made her
out, and going about, stood away to the southward.

"We shall have Captain Gerardin and his sentimental lieutenant among us
again before long," observed Captain Winslow, rubbing his hands.

The corvette showed that she had a remarkably fast pair of heels, and
night coming on hid the pursuer, as distance had already hid the
pursued, from the sight of those on board the "Osterley." Sail was
taken off the "Osterley," and she was hove-to, that she might wait for
the return of the frigate.

A very important question now arose as to what port they should steer
for.