ay to treat them. They have
trampled too long on our rights, to be forgiven."

The next morning the British seamen and officers were ordered up on
deck, and, being placed near the gangway, were surrounded by a guard of
marines with fixed bayonets. If they attempted to move from the spot,
they soon had notice to go back again.

The prize had parted company, and they supposed had been sent into port;
but the frigate herself stood away to the westward to continue her
cruise. In spite of the general want of discipline, a very bright
lookout was kept for any strange sail in sight. In the afternoon watch
a vessel was seen to the southward, and the frigate bore up in chase.
The stranger, on seeing this, made all sail to escape.

The French seamen pointed her out to the British. "Ah! ah! we shall
soon have her!" they exclaimed. "See, the cowards dare not wait our
coming up."

Meantime, Paul Pringle lay in his berth, pretty well cared for, and most
devotedly watched by True Blue. Billy was advised by the kind doctor to
show himself as little as possible, lest he should be ordered to join
the rest of the prisoners. He occasionally, however, stole out, that he
might ascertain for Paul in what direction the ship was steering, and
what was taking place. It was towards the evening that he came quickly
back and reported that he had seen all the prisoners hurried below on a
sudden, and that the wind being from the westward, all sail had been
made on the frigate, and that she had been put dead before it, having
abandoned the chase of the vessel of which she had been in pursuit.

"What it means I don't quite know," observed True Blue; "but there's
something in the wind, of that I'm pretty certain."

The tramping of feet overhead, the hurried passing of the crew up and
down, showed Paul also that such was the case. True Blue was standing
at the door of the berth when the surgeon came below, and, as he passed
him, whispered, "Keep quiet with your friend, boy. The crew may not be
in the humour to bear the sight of you." He did as he was advised for
some time; but, peeping out, he saw the powder-boys carrying up powder
and shot, and other missiles from the magazine, while the flurry and
bustle increased, and he felt sure that the frigate was going into
action.

"Paul, I must go and learn what it is all about," he said. "I suppose
that we are coming up with the chase."

Paul, not supposing there would be any risk, did no