, I can't say," answered Paul. "It won't be
bad work if we don't get taken ourselves, do ye see."

Never, however, did two ships appear in greater jeopardy than did the
_Ruby_ and her consort. True Blue observed his Captain. There he stood
calm and composed, watching every movement of the enemy, with the old
pilot by his side. They were now rapidly approaching Guernsey, and
could be seen from the shore, all the neighbouring heights of which were
crowded with spectators, eager and anxious witnesses of the unequal
contest. Although both the English frigates fired well, they had not as
yet succeeded in bringing down any of the Frenchmen's spars.

Captain Garland now threw out another signal. It was to order the
_Druid_ to crowd all sail and make the best of her way for the harbour.
Those on board her could scarcely understand his object. It appeared as
if he was about to sacrifice himself for the sake of preserving the
other two ships. The Captain of the _Druid_ was too good an officer not
to obey orders simply because he could not understand their object, or
he would have been inclined rather to have gone to the _Ruby's_ aid, and
to have shared her fate, whatever that might have been.

As soon as Captain Garland saw that the _Druid_ was obeying his
directions, he boldly hauled up and stood right along the French line,
at which the frigate kept up all the time a hot fire. The enemy kept
firing away all the while in return; but their gunnery was fortunately
none of the best, and but few of their shot had hitherto struck the
_Ruby_.

"Well, what are we going to do now, Paul?" asked True Blue. "Does the
Captain intend to try and weather on the Frenchmen, and so get clear?"

"Wait a bit, Billy," answered his godfather. "You'll see presently.
The Captain means to proceed to Guernsey, and to Guernsey, it's my
opinion, we shall go, in spite of all the Frenchmen may do to try and
prevent us."

On stood the gallant _Ruby_. The two frigates and brig were passed;
then came one of the big ships, then the other. The _Eurydice_ was now
close in with the harbour and safe. The _Druid_ was so near that,
unless becalmed, there appeared no doubt about her getting in.

"Now, my lads," cried Captain Garland, "be sharp in all you do!"

The helm was put up, the yards were squared, and on she stood towards a
collection of rocky islands, islets, and shoals, apparently to
destruction. The never-quiet ocean was sending dense m