ment think
of trying to avoid what he was ordered to do. It was a satisfaction to
find that Nat was near him.

"I don't half like it," said Nat; "but there is no one to care for me if
I'm killed, except my old grandmother, and my brothers and sisters.
You'll tell them all about me, and take them my love, won't you, Mr
Hartley?"

"Yes, I will not forget your message, and I assure you, Nat, that I
should care very much indeed if you were to be killed," answered Owen.
"But do not be down-hearted; it will be a great thing to have been in a
fight, although we may have taken no very active part in it."

Owen and Nat were stationed on the main deck, and had just brought up
their powder from below.

"Hold your tongues, youngsters," said a midshipman, who just then
passed. Owen recognised Mr Ashurst; he looked pale, but whether this
was from the thoughts of the coming fight, or from some other cause,
Owen could not tell. He was stationed at the guns which it was Owen's
duty to keep supplied.

The second lieutenant passed along the deck, speaking an encouraging
word to the men at each of the guns, while he gave the orders in regard
to their mode of firing.

He then turned to the boys, and addressed a few kind remarks to them.

During this time the French frigate had shortened sail, showing that she
had no intention of avoiding an action.

Owen could only get a glimpse of her through the port. The "Sylvia" had
tacked several times. Again Mr Leigh came along the deck.

"In another minute we shall pass under the enemy's stern, and every gun
from forward is to be fired in succession," he cried.

Just as he spoke, loud roars were heard, and several of the Frenchmen's
shot struck the frigate's upper works, none penetrating to the main
deck.

Owen peered out eagerly to try and get a glimpse of the enemy; then
their own guns began firing, the crew cheering as their shot told with
considerable effect. The French frigate, however, which had immediately
luffed up, though too late to avoid being raked, returned the fire with
her other broadside. The two frigates ran on together to the eastward,
exchanging broadsides as fast as the guns could be run in and loaded.

"I wonder when she's going to give in?" said Nat to Owen as they
returned from below with a fresh supply of powder.

"Before long, if we continue pounding her as we have hitherto done,"
said Owen, who after the first shots had been fired felt as cool as he
h