e, promptly got out one of the
oars, while Andrew and Simon got out the other; Stephen, springing aft,
went to the helm. Joe soon cleared the mast, the butt end of which had
been battering away against the side of the boat, threatening to knock a
hole in her. By considerable exertion she was kept head to wind, while
in a few minutes old Joe, who had been looking out, shading his eyes
with his hands, declared that the gale was breaking. Soon a light was
seen to shine forth between the clouds to the eastward, and it became
evident that the wind, having played them this cruel trick, was going
down. Though they had to pull hard to prevent the boat from being
swamped, still, as long as they could do that, they hoped at all events
to save their lives for the present. Though, after all, they should be
compelled to put into a French port, to do so was not altogether
hopeless, as they would have the excuse of coming in for the sake of
getting a fresh mast. The wind continued to go down, and the sea to
decrease so much, that their exertions were greatly lessened. They were
able to enjoy a better meal also than they had taken. They had just
finished, when Andrew, who was on the look-out, exclaimed--"I see a
white sail away to the east. See, the canvas shines like snow against
the clouds."

Joe jumped up at hearing this, and took a look at the stranger, which he
pronounced to be a large ship bearing directly down for them. "Whether
friend or foe, we cannot escape her; but if she is Dutch we are in no
danger. I do not know how a Frenchman would treat us. We have most to
dread from one of our own ships; more's the shame it should be so."

As there was no necessity any longer for keeping the oars going, all on
board anxiously watched the approaching ship.

"She is a man-of-war, I have little doubt," said Joe. "Carries fifty
guns. She is English, too," he added; "she has hoisted her ensign at
the peak."

"Remember we have but one simple tale to tell," said Stephen to Andrew
and Simon; "we are bound for Holland. We must neither show fear nor
surprise if we are taken on board. Merely ask the English Captain to
supply us with a mast and the necessary rigging, in place of the one we
have lost."

In a short time the frigate was up to the little vessel. A boat was
lowered, and a lieutenant and midshipman came in her.

"What has brought you into this condition, friends?" asked the former,
looking at Joe.

"Oh," repli