r, and were highly complimented by the admiral on the
station. There being no post-captain to supersede him, Mr Handsel
received an acting order to continue in the command. The _Falcon_ was
allowed just time to take on board a fresh supply of powder, shot, and
other stores and provisions, when she was ordered to proceed in search
of an enemy's cruiser, said to have captured several English merchantmen
in the southern part of the Indian Ocean. She was supposed to be a
heavy frigate, equal, if not superior, in force to the _Falcon_, but
neither Captain Handsel nor any of his ship's company had the slightest
doubt as to what would be the result of an action should they be
fortunate enough to fall in with her.

A sharp look-out was kept, and the ocean traversed in all directions for
several weeks, but no traces of her could be discovered, till at length
a prize she had taken only two days before was re-captured. Her
probable whereabouts having been ascertained from the prisoners, the
prize being sent on to Calcutta, the _Falcon_ under all sail steered in
the direction where it was hoped the enemy would be found. The stormy
season was approaching. The weather, indeed, had already changed for
the worse; but still Captain Handsel was unwilling to return to port,
when on the point, as he hoped, of meeting the long looked-for foe.

A strong breeze was blowing from the northeast, and the frigate was
steering south, under all the canvas she could bear. The crew had just
been piped to breakfast.

"A sail on the lee bow," shouted the look-out at the mast-head.

Ralph was sent aloft to examine the stranger. She was standing
close-hauled to the northward. From the squareness of her yards, he had
little doubt, seen even at that distance, that she was a man-of-war, but
as the two ships were rapidly nearing each other, the matter would soon
be decided. The course of the _Falcon_ was altered so as to intercept
the stranger. Suddenly, however, the latter was seen to wear ship, and,
setting more sail, to stand away before the wind. The _Falcon_ was
already carrying as much as she could well stagger under; still, eager
to overtake the fugitive the captain ordered the topgallant sails to be
loosed, and on flew the _Falcon_, like the bird from which she took her
name, in chase of her expected prey. A stern chase is proverbially a
long chase. It seemed doubtful, after the lapse of several hours,
whether she was gaining ground o