, which we must have begun to engage before you lost sight of our
mastheads. We should have taken her consort, too, before the sun went
down, if, like a cur, she hadn't turned tail and run for it; when, as it
took us some little time to repair damages, we could not follow."

"Hurrah!" exclaimed Paul. "Hurrah! I thought so. This is the very
craft herself, depend on it; and that is the reason the hounds have been
worrying our poor fellows, as if they had been mere brutes. You'll hear
all about it by and by. But I say, Abel, do you go and look after the
surgeon of this ship. He's a kind-hearted gentleman. Take care no one
hurts him. Billy will try and find him."

Paul Pringle never forgot those who had been kind to him. True Blue was
also very glad to show his gratitude to the French doctor, whom they
soon found in his cabin, where he had retired during the first rush of
the British on board.

Summoning his assistants, the surgeon returned to the cockpit, where he
was quickly occupied in endeavouring to mitigate the sufferings of his
wounded countrymen, who now, mangled and bleeding, were being collected
from all parts of the captured ship.

When True Blue got back to Paul, he found Tom Marline and Harry and Fid
with him. The prisoners had been released; but by the particular advice
of the officers, they had not yet mentioned the insults they had
received, lest, already heated with the excitement of battle, the
accounts should exasperate the crew of the _Ruby_ and make them
retaliate on the Frenchmen.

Paul, at his earnest request, was now removed back to his own ship while
she lay alongside the prize. He and True Blue were warmly received by
their shipmates, as were Tom and Fid and Harry. So also were the two
midshipmen. The Captain, especially, was delighted at getting back
young Elmore, who was an only son, and placed by his mother especially
under his care.

"Yes, sir; here I am!" said the middy after the Captain had greeted him.
"And, sir, I owe my life to the bravery of Freeborn, who leaped
overboard to save me, in a raging sea, when no other means could have
been employed."

"A noble, gallant young fellow. I will not overlook him, depend on
that, Elmore. You and I must settle what we can best do for his
interests," said the Captain warmly. But just then there was so much to
be done that he could say no more on the subject.

The _Ruby_ had suffered considerably both in hull and rigging, and