. I vote for
hauling down the colours."

"Not yet," said Newton, "not yet, my lads. Let us try a few shots
more."

"Try!--to be sure," rejoined Roberts, "didn't I say before, that a starn
chase was a long one."

"That only makes the matter worse," replied Collins; "for while we are
to be peppered this way, I think the shorter the chase the better.
However, you may do as you please, but I'm not so fond of it;--so here's
down below to the fore-peak!"

"Ben, you're a sensible chap, and gives good advice; we'll just follow
you," said Hillson.

"Birds of a feather always flock together; so, Ben, I'm of your party,"
added Thompson.

The convicts then descended forward out of the fire of the musketry,
while Newton and Roberts continued to load and fire, and Williams
steered the brig. The Frenchman had already found his way below again,
before the convicts.

The schooner was within two cables' length, and the fire of the musketry
was most galling; each of the English seamen had received slight wounds,
when, just as it was dark, one of the shot from the brig proved more
effective. The main-boom of the schooner was either cut in two, or so
much injured as to oblige them to lower her mainsail, The brig now
increased her distance fast, and in a few minutes they lost sight of the
schooner in the darkness of the night.

"Huzza!" cried Roberts, "didn't I tell you that a starn chase was a long
one?"

Not a star was to be seen; the darkness was intense, and Newton
consulted with Williams and Roberts, as to what was their best plan of
proceeding. It was agreed to haul up for a quarter of an hour, then
furl all, and allow the privateer to pass them. This was put in
execution; the convicts, now that there was no more firing, coming to
their assistance. The next morning the weather proved hazy, and the
schooner, who had evidently crowded sail in pursuit of them, was nowhere
to be seen.

Newton and his crew congratulated themselves upon their escape, and
again shaped their course for the Channel. The wind would not allow
them to keep clear of Ushant, and two days afterwards they made the
French coast, near to that island. The next morning they had a slant of
wind, which enabled them to lay her head up for Plymouth, and
anticipated that in another twenty-four hours they would be in safety.
Such, however, was not their good fortune; about noon a schooner hove in
sight to leeward, and it was soon ascertained to be the sa