g on deck.

"Aloft, you youngsters!" cried the boatswain, looking at Lancelot and
me.

We ran up the rigging to the fore-topgallant-yard, and with the aid of
two other men let fall the sail which had been furled.

On looking ahead, we saw a large ship in the distance, for which the
frigate was steering. The stranger held on her course, not apparently
fearing us, though we had the Union Jack flying at the peak, while that
of Holland fluttered at hers.

On getting within range of our guns, we opened fire from a dozen pieces
or more, but without doing her much damage. Again we fired, sending our
shot crashing on board her, when the guns being run in and reloaded, we
stood on, receiving her broadside, the shots going through our sails and
cutting some of our running rigging, then luffing-up across her bows, we
raked her fore and aft, and went about, showing that we intended to give
her the other broadside. Not relishing this, she hauled down her
colours and triced up her sails.

A well-armed boat's crew was sent on board to take possession, when her
ship's company were speedily removed, and those of her people who
remained in her were ordered to steer her to Kinsale harbour, a short
distance to the southward of Cork, in Ireland.

The next vessel we chased proved to be English, and as she was bound for
the Thames, she was captured and sent away like the first, with part of
the Dutch crew, who, being promised good pay, had no objection to
navigate her.

A third vessel was seen the next day, carrying the flag of France.
Chase was given to her also, and the _Charles_ coming alongside, she
struck without firing a shot. She was also sent away, under command of
one of the officers, for the same harbour as the former prize.

"Why, these fellows are pirates," observed Lancelot to me, though he
took care to speak in a low voice, so that only Martin and I who was
standing near could hear him.

"Little doubt about that," answered Martin; "all's fish that comes to
their net! I wish that we were well free of them, but how to get away
is the difficulty. I suspect that if a Parliamentary ship was to catch
the frigate, they'd hang us all up at the yard-arms."

"Heaven forbid!" said Lancelot.

A few days after this, the look-out from the mast-head shouted--

"Five sail to the eastward!"

Presently afterwards three more were seen standing down channel, under
all the canvas they could carry.

"What if they should prove