ahead of you."

The men in the boat had to throw in their oars to fire, while they lost
some time in reloading.

The ships were still a long way off, and it was very probable that, as
evening came on, the wind would fail before we could reach them. There
was, however, one frigate ahead, which, propelled by oars as well as
sails, was making good way. We steered for her.

"All right, boys," cried Tom; "I see the Parliamentary flag flying from
her peak, and if those fellows come near us they'll have to rue it."

Notwithstanding, our pursuers, finding that they could not reach us with
their muskets, again took to their oars and pulled away with might and
main, trusting probably to the chances of the wind falling. Still, as
we were already well ahead, we determined to maintain our advantage.
The frigate meantime was coming on at good speed, carrying every stitch
of canvas she could set. At length both we and the boat in chase were
seen, but should the frigate fire at the latter, we might run a chance
of being hit. We kept on therefore. As we got nearer, Tom stood up and
waved as a signal that we wished to get on board.

On perceiving this, our pursuers knew that their game was up, and, to
our regret, putting about, pulled away towards the shore as fast as they
had come. The frigate, to allow us to get on board, now clewed up her
sails and drew in her sweeps.

We were welcomed on board by her commander, who inquired where we had
come from and what we had been about. We frankly told him, when, to our
joy, he informed us that the fleet was that of the Earl of Warwick, sent
by the Parliament to the relief of Lyme.

"You have come opportunely, sir," said Lancelot, "for we lack both
ammunition, food, and clothing, and had you not arrived, we might in a
short time have been compelled to yield to the foe."

_The Mermaid_, the frigate we had so fortunately reached, again making
sail, continued her course towards Lyme. Darkness, however, quickly
came on, but Tom piloted her up to a berth close in with the harbour,
where none of the enemy's shot could reach her. We then accompanied
Captain Ray, her commander, on shore, to convey the joyful intelligence
of the approach of the Earl of Warwick's fleet.

The news spread through the town quickly, but Colonel Blake issued
orders that no demonstration should be made. My father, when he had
heard of our expedition, did not blame me for having taken part in it.

"Ben," he