te
attack, supported occasionally by the ships in his division. The
_Bellerophon_ being soon disabled, fell to leeward; and just then the
_Audacious_ came up, and for two hours most gallantly engaged the
Frenchman, which proved to be the _Revolutionnaire_ of 110 guns. The
enemy's mizen-mast falling overboard, and her lower yards and
main-topsail-yard having been shot away, she fell athwart hawse of the
_Audacious_. Getting clear, however, she put before the wind; nor was
it in the power of the latter, from her own crippled condition, to
follow her.

Still the French, though having the weather-gage, and therefore having
it entirely in their power to engage, avoided an action. By the
persevering efforts of some of the weathermost ships of the British,
several of their ships most to leeward were compelled to fight. One of
them indeed struck; but, a consort coming up and pouring a broadside
into her as a gentle reminder of her duty she again hoisted her colours.
The frigates meantime were hovering about, ready to obey any orders
they might receive, their Captains and officers, as well as their crews,
naturally severely criticising the movements of the two fleets, and
jealous that they themselves were not permitted to take part in the now
active work going on.

"That's always like them, Abel, isn't it?" exclaimed Paul Pringle as he
watched the main body of the French fleet still keeping aloof. "It puts
me just in mind of what they used to do in the West Indies. When they
numbered twice as strong as we did, they would come down boldly enough;
but when we showed our teeth and barked, they'd be about again, thinking
that they would wait for a better opportunity."

"Ay, Paul, I mind it well. Even Billy here minds it, too, though he was
a little chap then," answered Abel, placing his hand on the lad's
shoulder. "And, True Blue, what's more, do you tell it to your
children's children. Never mind how big may be the ships of the enemy,
or how many guns they may carry, let British seamen when they meet them,
as we do nowadays, feel sure that they will conquer, and I am very sure
that conquer they will; ay, however the Frenchmen may bluster and boast
of their mountain ships, just as the French Admiral does now."

"That's it, mate," chimed in Peter Ogle. "That's the way. Go at them.
Show them that you know you are going to thrash them--stick to it.
Never mind if you are getting the worst; be sure you'll be getting the