g masts, and lee-shrouds bulging out, she dashed
through the frantic waves, her side, as she heeled over, half buried
beneath them. What hope was there of her escaping?

One huge Spaniard was on her weather, another on her lee-beam, while the
other was coming up fast astern on her weather quarter. Still Lord
Claymore did not despair. He stepped down among the crew and spoke to
them.

"My lads, never say die while there's life. Let every man and boy of
you do your best, and we'll yet give the Dons the slip. Be smart, as if
your lives depended on it. To your stations now."

Every man stood ready, watching the captain's eye. He had explained his
plan to his officers. All was ready. There was a dead silence--the
gale roared louder than ever--the frigate tore through the waves. The
Spaniards were close upon her; angry at her still holding out, they
began to fire; the shots came fast and thick, flying over and on each
side of the frigate, but hitherto none had struck her. At length the
Spaniards saw again that firing was of no use--they should only be
knocking their destined prize to pieces--like vast mountains of snow
they came rushing on. It appeared as if they were about to crush the
little frigate with their united weight.

"Ready, lads!" shouted the captain of the "Pallas."

"Clew up! Haul down!"

Those magic words put every human being on board the frigate in motion.
Tacks and sheets were let go. Some hauled away at the brails. Topsails
were clewed up, topgallant sheets were let fly, stay-sails hauled down,
and the frigate, which an instant before was under a cloud of canvas,
was now reduced to her bare poles.

The Spaniards, totally unprepared for such a manoeuvre, at first
scarcely comprehended what had happened. On the huge ships sailed in
their headlong course. It did not occur to their captains to attempt
instantly to shorten sail, but one and all turned their eyes aft to see
what their expected prize was about.

Lord Claymore watched them for a short time, but only to assure himself
that they were well to leeward of him. The frigate had not lost her way
through the water.

"Down with the helm!" cried the captain, in a cheerful tone, which gave
encouragement to all. "Hoist away! Flatten aft the sheets!"

Not an officer, or man, or boy, but put his hand to halliards sheets,
braces, or bowlines; and if the way in which she had been stripped of
her canvas had appeared like magic to her