e enemy has
been fully equal to us in force, and we have never failed to come off
victorious; and not only victorious, but for every man we have lost, the
enemy has lost five or six. As I have ever before been successful, so I
hope to be now. You see that French frigate coming up astern? I intend
to engage her, as I am sure you will all stand by me to the last. Never
mind that she has got twice as many guns as we have; if we handle our
bulldogs twice as well as she does hers, we shall be a match for her.
So, my lads, go to your quarters. Fight as bravely as you ever have
done for our good King and dear Old England; and let us uphold the
honour of our flag, and thoroughly drub the Frenchmen."

"That we will, sir--that we will!" shouted True Blue, several others
joining him. "Hurrah for Old England! Hurrah! hurrah!"

"The sooner, then, we begin the better, my lads," continued Captain
Brine. "Wait till I give the word to fire; and when I do give it, don't
throw your shot away."

After another hearty cheer, set off by True Blue, the men went steadily
to their quarters. Royals and topgallant-sails were handed, the courses
were clewed up, and the corvette under her three topsails stood calmly
on, waiting the approach of the enemy. Undoubtedly the Frenchmen
fancied that some desperate trick was going to be played them.

On came the frigate. "Remember, lads, do not fire till every shot will
tell!" cried Captain Brine. "Wait till I give the word."

The frigate, under all sail, approached on the starboard and weather
beam of the corvette. As the former found that her small antagonist was
within range of her guns, she opened her fire; but the guns, being
pointed high, either passed over the British ship or merely injured some
of her rigging.

When the Frenchman got within hail, some one on board, seeing the small
size of the corvette, and believing that she would instantly give in,
sang out, "Strike! strike, you English!"

"Ay, that we will, and pretty hard, too," answered Captain Brine through
his speaking trumpet. "Give it them, my lads!"

The loud cheer which the crew gave on hearing this reply had not died
away before every shot from the corvette's broadside had found its way
across the frigate's decks, or through her side. Again the heavy
carronades were run in and loaded.

"Remember, lads, we have to make our nine guns of a side do more work
than the Frenchman's twenty!" cried True Blue as he hauled