that they might ascertain where the frigate was to bring-up. In vain
they swept them round in every direction; no fleet was to be seen. The
circumstance was reported to the captain.

"The easterly winds we have had have sent a heavy sea rolling in here.
They must have run into the inner harbour to avoid it. We must follow
them there," was his answer. "Shorten sail! Let the ship stand in
under her topsails."

The courses were accordingly brailed up, and the top-gallant-sails
furled, and under easy sail we stood up the inner harbour. Still
nothing could we see of the fleet--not a light did any of the ships
show.

On we glided through the calm water. "A brig ahead, sir!" shouted the
third lieutenant from forward.

"Shall we weather her?" asked the captain.

The answer was in the negative. "Set the foresail and spanker! Ready,
about-ship!"

Scarcely had the boatswain's shrill pipe uttered the appropriate call,
than the sails were let fall and sheeted home; and as soon as the
frigate felt the effect they produced, the helm was put a-lee, and she
went about close under the stern of the brig, which lay in her course.
A loud hail came from the brig, but I for one could not make out what
was said.

"That's not an English brig," observed one of the officers near me. She
lay off what is called the Grand Tour Point.

"He is inquiring our name," said another officer.

"His Britannic Majesty's frigate _Juno_," shouted the first lieutenant.

"Wah--wah--wah!" or sounds something like that, came from the brig.
Some one also shouted, "Viva!"

"Whereabouts is the English fleet?" asked the captain. "Have they
sailed? Is the admiral still here?"

"Wah--wah--wah!" was the only answer we got. The questions were
repeated in French.

"Yes--yes; oui--oui; wah--wah--wah!" was again the reply.

"That's a French merchant-brig. They cannot make out what we say. The
fleet must have gone over to the other side of the harbour."

Directly afterwards, the words, "Luff--luff!" reached our ears.

"They are afraid we shall be ashore, sir," said the first lieutenant.

"Then down with the helm!" shouted the captain. The order was promptly
obeyed, and the frigate came up almost head to wind; but scarcely a
minute had passed when we felt that she had run stem on to the ground;
but so light was the wind, and so slight was the way on her, that no
damage of any sort was done.

Of course the order was immediately given to clew