us charge was made. Just then
loud huzzas announced the arrival of the other two boats, and Harry
Hartland and Tom Marline, with their followers, climbing up the sides,
quickly cleared the forecastle.

The Frenchmen who had escaped below were ordered to be quiet, and
sentries, with muskets pointed down, were stationed to keep them so.

The boats were once more manned and sent ahead, the cables were cut,
and, amid a shower of shot from the forts, the gallantly-won brig was
towed out of the harbour. Several other vessels were seen to be
slipping their cables to come in chase; but just then a light air came
down the harbour, which those nearer the shore did not feel. Hands were
sent aloft to loosen the brig's sails. On she glided, increasing her
speed; the boats towed rapidly ahead, but the work became lighter and
lighter every instant.

"Hurrah! we have gained her, and shall keep her!" was the cry on board
the prize.

However, they were not yet quite out of the enemy's harbour. The shot
from the forts came whizzing along after the prize; and though, as not a
light was shown on board her, the gunners could not aim very correctly,
the missiles reached as far or farther than she then was,--now on one
side, now on the other, and sometimes nearly over her.

True Blue occasionally looked aft. Through the darkness he now
distinguished two vessels standing after him. The breeze had increased.
He called the boats alongside, and ordered the crews on board.
Pointing out the vessels astern, "Lads," he said, "we may still have to
fight for our prize: but I am sure that you will defend her to the
last."

"That we will, bo'sun--that we will, never fear," was the cheerful
answer.

The guns were found to be loaded, and the Frenchmen had got up a supply
of powder and shot to defend their vessel when True Blue and his
companions so unceremoniously cut short their proceedings. In case an
action should be fought, it was necessary to secure both the French
officers and seamen. Harry Hartland was charged with this duty. On
going below, he found that not an officer had escaped without a wound;
some had been hurt very severely. Fortunately an assistant-surgeon was
on board, able to look after them. Harry placed a sentry in the
gunroom, with orders to shoot the first man who made the slightest sign
of revolting; while he stationed a couple more over the crew, with
directions to treat them in the same way.

The two vessels we