g reported himself as come on board with Sir Henry to the first
lieutenant, who was near the gangway, he dived below. Numerous hammocks
slung up forward showed that there were many sick or wounded, while
groups of Frenchmen, with sentries over them, proved that a prize had
been taken.

He first hurried to the gunner's cabin. The door was closed--he
knocked--there was no answer--his heart sank within him--his thoughts
flew to Mary and her mother. Could Peter Ogle be among the killed in
the late action? He dared not ask; he opened the door and looked in.
The cabin was empty. He went next to that of Abel Bush.

"Come in," said the carpenter in a weak voice, very unlike his usual
sturdy bass. "True Blue, is it you, my lad? Right glad to see you!" he
exclaimed in a more cheerful tone. "Well, we have had a warm brush.
Only sorry you were not with us; but we took her, as you see, though we
had a hard struggle for it. Do you know, Billy, these Frenchmen do
fight well sometimes. They've given me an ugly knock in the ribs; but
the doctor says I shall be all to rights soon, so no matter. I don't
want to be laid up in ordinary yet. Time enough when I am as old as
Lord Howe. He keeps afloat; so may I for twenty years to come yet, I
hope."

Thus he ran on. He was evidently feverish from his wound.

"But oh, Abel, where is Peter Ogle?" exclaimed True Blue, interrupting
him at length.

"Peter?--oh, aboard the prize!" answered Abel. "Where did you think he
was?"

"All right," replied True Blue.

In the evening, both ships went into the harbour to be refitted, an
operation which, from the battered condition of the corvette and her
prize, would evidently take some time.

Scarcely was the ship moored, when Sir Henry sent for True Blue, and
told him that, on account of his having been wounded, he had obtained
leave for him to have a run on shore, and that if he liked he would take
him up to London with him, and let him see more of the wonders of the
great metropolis.

The colour came to the young sailor's cheeks. "Thank you, Sir Henry--
thank you," he answered; "but to be honest, I'd as lief go to my friends
at Emsworth, you see, sir. They know me, and I know them; and though I
should like to see her ladyship and the young ladies,--indeed I
should,--there's Mary Ogle, Peter Ogle's daughter; and the truth is,
we've come to understand each other, and talk of splicing one of these
days, when I'm a bo'sun perhaps, o