I ought to return to the frigate," said the Captain, "Sir Henry, you
will accompany me. Mr Wright, you will get under weigh the instant the
tide slackens or a breeze springs up, and run out to us."

Sir Henry begged that he might remain on board the lugger and share the
risk with the rest, though it was not without considerable reluctance
that Sir Sydney consented to leave him. Sir Sydney then pulled off in
his small boat for the frigate.

Daylight was now coming on, and by its means several boats were seen
coming down the Seine, evidently with the intention of trying to
recapture the _Vengeur_. At the same time, however, a small boat was
observed approaching from the frigate, and soon afterwards Sir Sydney
Smith himself stepped on board.

"My lads," he said, "I believe that we shall have to fight for our
prize, and I have returned to lend a hand in defending her. However, we
have more boats and people than are required. Sir Henry Elmore, I must
beg you to undertake the charge of landing the prisoners at Honfleur, on
the southern bank of the river, in the launch and pinnace, and then
return to the _Diamond_. These are my orders. We must first, however,
make the Frenchmen give us their parole not in any way to interfere in
whatever takes place. I propose fighting the lugger under weigh, till
the breeze and ebb tide enable us to carry her out. The tide will soon
make, and I hope to be alongside the frigate in an hour or little more."

Very unwillingly Sir Henry quitted his gallant chief and friend, taking,
of course, True Blue with him.

It was now broad daylight, and all the glasses of the frigate were
turned towards the _Vengeur_. Another large lugger as big as herself
was seen approaching her. She got under weigh, and a warm action began.

"She is giving it her!--she is giving it her!" shouted True Blue. "Sir
Sydney will beat him, I am certain."

So it seemed probable by the gallant way in which the _Vengeur_ met her
approach. The latter was soon seen to sheer off and drop up the river
again, evidently having had fighting enough. Most anxiously a breeze
was looked-for.

Though victorious in this instance, the prize was even in a more
perilous position than before, having drifted still more up the river,
and numerous boats being seen in the distance approaching her. Down
they came, their numbers rapidly increasing. Now she opened her fire
right and left upon them. They returned it with heavy dis