al strange sail
in sight; and the same instant we perceived the officers setting the
glasses to observe them. We could remark that the sight did not seem to
please them much; but more we knew not, for we were not allowed to stand
up nor look over the bulwarks. The lieutenant of the watch called up the
commander; and when he came on deck he ordered the men to cram on more
sail, and hold her head a point or so off the wind; and as soon as
it was done, the rushing noise at the cutwater told the speed she was
making through the sea. It was a fine day, with a fresh breeze and a
nice curl from the water; and it was a handsome thing to see how the
sloop bent to the gale and rose again, her canvas white as snow and
steady as a board; and we soon knew, from the manner of the officers
and the anxious looks they 'd give to leeward from time to time, that
another vessel was in chase of the 'Fawn.' Not a man stirred on the deck
save the lieutenant of the watch, who walked the quarterdeck with his
glass in his hand; now lifting it to his eye, and now throwing a glance
aloft to see how the sails were drawing.

"'She's gaining on us, sir,' cried the boatswain, as he went aloft, to
the lieutenant. 'Shall we ease her off a little more?'

"'No, no,' said he, impatiently. 'She's coming handover-hand now. Clear
the deck, and prepare for action.'

"My heart jumped to my throat as I heard the words; and waiting until
the lieutenant's back was turned, I stole my eyes above the bulwark,
and beheld the tall masts and taper spars of a frigate, all covered
with canvas, about two miles astern of us. She was a good-sized craft,
apparently of thirty-eight guns; but what I liked best about her was the
broad tricolor that fluttered from her masthead. Every curl that floated
on the breeze whispered liberty to my heart.

"'You know her?' said the lieutenant, laying his hand on my shoulder,
before I was aware he was behind me. 'What is she?'

"'Lend me your glass, Lieutenant, and perhaps I can tell you,' said
I; and with that he gave the telescope into my hand, and leaned on the
bulwark beside me. 'Ha!' said I, as soon as I caught the side of her
hull, 'I ought to know her well; I sailed in her for two years and a
half. She's the "Creole," of thirty-eight guns, the fastest frigate in
our navy; she has six carronades on her quarterdeck, and never goes to
sea without three hundred and twenty men.'

"'If she had three tiers of them we 'd not flinch fro