aking all possible sail for the land. Jack now fired at the
flotilla as they passed, with his larboard broadside, while with his
starboard he poured in grape and canister upon the unfortunate gun-boat
which was dismasted, and which soon hauled down her colours. In a few
minutes more the remainder were too far distant for the carronades, and,
as they did not fire, Jack turned his attention to take possession of
his prize, sending a boat with ten men on board, and heaving-to close to
her to take her in tow. Ten minutes more and the frigate was hove-to a
cable's length from the _Rebiera_, and our hero lowered down his other
quarter boat to go on board.

"Have we any men hurt, Mr Oxbelly?" inquired Jack.

"Only two; Spearling has lost his thumb with a piece of langrage, and
James has a bad wound in the thigh."

"Very well; I will ask for the surgeon to come on board."

Jack pulled to the frigate and went up the side, touched his hat in due
form, and was introduced by the midshipmen to the other side, where the
captain stood.

"Mr Easy!" exclaimed the captain.

"Captain Sawbridge?" replied our hero with surprise.

"Good heavens! what brought you here!" said the captain; "and what
vessel is that?"

"The _Rebiera_, letter of marque, commanded and owned by Mr Easy,"
replied Jack, laughing.

Captain Sawbridge gave him his hand. "Come down with me in the cabin,
Mr Easy; I am very glad to see you. Give you great credit for your
conduct, and am still more anxious to know what has induced you to come
out again. I knew that you had left the service."

Jack, in a very few words, told his object in fitting out the _Rebiera_;
"but," continued Jack, "allow me to congratulate you upon your
promotion, which I was not aware of. May I ask where you left the
_Harpy_, and what is the name of your frigate?"

"The _Latona_! I have only been appointed to her one month, after an
action in which the _Harpy_ took a large corvette, and am ordered home
with despatches to England. We sailed yesterday evening from Gibraltar,
were becalmed the whole night, and attacked this morning by the
gun-boats."

"How is Captain Wilson, sir?"

"I believe he is very well, but I have not seen him."

"How did you know, then, that I had left the service, Captain
Sawbridge?"

"From Mr Gascoigne, who is now on board."

"Gascoigne!" exclaimed our hero.

"Yes, he was sent up to join the _Aurora_ by the Governor, but she had
left the fleet, an