-of-battle ships and enemies."

The last words had an electric effect. From the movements of the
line-of-battle ships, as they were seen over the fog, there was no doubt
that their look-outs had discovered the "Pallas." In an instant the
captain was on deck; Morton had already ordered the ship to be kept
away, and was again setting topgallant sails and royals; he thought the
royal masts would scarcely stand.

"Never mind, we must do everything to preserve our booty and our
liberty," answered Lord Claymore.

The breeze increased almost to a gale. The wind soon dispersed the
mist, and the three huge line-of-battles ships were seen rushing on
towards the frigate. A broadside from one of them would have sunk her.
Her top-gallant masts bent like willow wands. Every moment it appeared
that they must go. Lord Claymore stood watching them, and now and then
taking a glance at his enemies, and though cool and collected, seeming
positively to revel in the excitement of the scene. The wind was abeam;
and the frigate, which proved herself but a crank ship, heeled over till
her hammock-nettings dipped in the seething, foaming waters, which
bubbled and hissed up through the lee scuppers.

On tore the "Pallas." It was a race for liberty and the preservation of
the wealth in which they had been rejoicing.

"What will you take for your prize-money in prospect now, Morton?" asked
the pertinacious Hardman. "I told you so, old boy--there's many a slip
between the cup and the lip. It's the great truth I've learned in my
life--I shall always stick to it."

"It may apply equally to our enemies astern, though," observed the
captain, who had overheard the remark, "we will see if we cannot make it
so."

The line-of-battle ships were by this time beginning to feel the fury of
the gale, which was well nigh carrying her masts out of the frigate, or
sending her over on her beam-ends. The more, however, the Spaniards saw
her pressed, the less willing they were to shorten sail. She now kept
edging more and more away to bring the wind further astern, squaring her
yards as she did so, the Spaniards having to do the same. They did not
seem to think it worth while to spend much powder and shot on her, as
they, of course, felt sure of capturing her in the end. It was a grand
sight to see the little English frigate dauntlessly doing her utmost to
escape from her huge pursuers, the foam in dense masses flying over her,
while, with bendin