ore round, and ranged up on the weather quarter of the Indiaman.
When within two cables' length of the _Windsor Castle_, who had, a
little before, filled her main-topsail to be in command, the Frenchman
hauled up his foresail, and discovered his lower rigging manned by the
ship's company, who gave a loud but hasty cheer, and then disappeared.

One cock crowing is a challenge, sure to be answered, if the antagonist
is game. The English seamen sprang up to return the compliment, when
Captain Oughton roared out, "To your guns, you fools! Hard down with
the helm--fly the jib-sheet--check headbraces--look out now, my lads."

The corvette had already put her helm up and paid off to pass under the
stern of the _Windsor Castle_, with the intention, of raking her. The
promptitude of Captain Oughton foiled the manoeuvre of the Frenchman;
which would have been more fatal had the English seamen been in the
rigging to have been swept off by his grape-shot. As the _Windsor
Castle_ was thrown upon the wind, an exchange of broadsides took place,
which, according to the usual custom of all well regulated broadsides in
close conflict, cut away a certain proportion of the spars and rigging,
and cut up a proportion of the ships' companies. The _Windsor castle_,
worked by Newton, bracing round on the other tack, and the corvette
rounding to on the same, the two vessels separated for a few minutes.

"Devilish well stopped, Newton, wasn't it?" said Captain Oughton,
showing his white teeth. "Look out again--here she comes."

The corvette again attempted to rake as she ranged up after tacking, by
throwing herself up in the wind; but Captain Oughton, watching the
slightest variation of his adversary's career, gradually edging away,
and then putting his helm up, manoeuvred that the broadsides should
again be exchanged. This second exchange was more effectual than the
first.

"A stomacher, and both down!" cried Captain Oughton, as he surveyed the
deck. "Be quick, Newton, hand the men below. Don't bring her to the
wind yet, he has lost his way by luffing up, and cannot make play again
for a few minutes."

After the second broadside, the vessels were much further apart, from
the _Windsor Castle_ running off the wind, while the corvette was too
much crippled to work with her usual rapidity. This was convenient to
both parties, as the last broadside had been very mischievous. The
Frenchman, low in the water, had suffered less in her hu