rench frigate were seen by those on deck rising above the hammock
nettings on the larboard bow. The Captain stepped to the larboard
gangway. A voice came from the deck of the Frenchman.

"What do they say?" asked the Captain of the master, who was nearest
him.

"I don't know, sir. I never could make out the Frenchmen's lingo, and I
doubt that they intend us to understand them," answered Mr Handlead
with a tone of contempt in his voice. "They are only mocking at us.
It's their way, sir." Mr Brine more briefly said that he could not
make out the Frenchman's hail.

"Then keep her as she goes, master," said Captain Garland; and, putting
his speaking trumpet to his mouth, he shouted, "This is His Britannic
Majesty's ship, the _Ruby_, and I beg to know the name of yours, and the
King you serve?"

"This is _La Belle Citoyenne_, belonging to the Republican Government of
France," was the answer. To which was added by several men in chorus,
"We serve no King--no, no!"

"But we do!" cried Paul Pringle. "And right glad we are to serve him.
Hurrah, boys, for King George and Old England! Hurrah! hurrah!"

Three hearty cheers burst from the throats of the British tars.
Scarcely had they ceased when the French Captain, who was still standing
in the gangway, was seen to hold aloft in his hand a _bonnet rouge_, the
red cap of liberty, and briefly to address his crew in terms of
considerable animation. "Vive la Nation!" he exclaimed. "Vive la
Republique!" answered the crew.

The French Captain, having finished his speech, handed the red cap to
one of the seamen, who ran with it up the rigging and screwed it on to
the masthead, where it was evident that a hole was prepared to receive
the screw. The marines might easily have picked him off; but no one
even thought of attempting to injure the brave fellow.

The _Ruby_ was now well up with her opponent, and the two Captains,
taking off their hats, made the politest of bows to each other, the
Frenchman, however, beating the English Captain in the vehemence of his
flourish. Both then returned to the quarterdeck. The moment to begin
the fight had arrived. Captain Garland, who had kept his hat in his
hand, raised it to his head. Every eye was on him. All knew the signal
he had promised to give. For an instant not a sound was heard; and then
there burst forth the loud continued roar of the broadsides of the two
frigates as gun after gun of the _Ruby_, beginning at the for