oard
waited for daylight.

As soon as it came, the lieutenant ordered all hands to get fresh stays
on the jury mast preparatory to making sail, his intention being, should
the wind come off the shore, to stand away from the coast, in hopes of
falling in with the "Sylvia," and not finding her, at once to steer a
course for Marrack.

At length a light wind began to blow off the land, but it was not
sufficiently strong to make it prudent to cut the cable. Gradually it
increased.

"All hands make sail!" shouted Mr Leigh.

The Frenchmen were as eager as the English crew to hoist away. The
cable was cut and the prize stood off from the dangerous coast.

CHAPTER NINE.

The French crew, when all immediate danger was over, again began to show
a mutinous disposition, some refusing to take their spell at the pumps,
others forming groups and talking eagerly together. Owen ascertained,
from what they were saying, that they believed the "Sylvia" to have gone
down, so that if they could retake the frigate they might be able to
make off with her. Some of them, having got hold of a cask of spirits,
were becoming every instant more and more unruly.

"We shall have to clap the whole of them in irons, or lash them into
their hammocks," observed Lieutenant Leigh to Mr Stewart.

Just then Owen, who had been sent to the mizen topmast head by Mr Leigh
to take a look-out, shouted--

"A sail to the north-west, she is standing this way and close hauled."

On hearing this Mr Stewart went aloft with his spy-glass. After
waiting some time he shouted--

"She is the frigate, sir, coming to look for us--no doubt about that."

The "Venus," by this time having got sufficiently far from the coast,
was hove to. The Frenchmen, finding that they were out in their
calculations, changed their conduct and became very submissive.

Before long the "Sylvia" was up to the prize. A boat came off from her,
and Mr Leigh in return sent a report, written at his dictation by Owen,
of what had occurred, with the request that the more troublesome of the
prisoners might be removed. This occupied time, when the "Sylvia"
shortening sail to keep company with the prize, the two frigates stood
for the Bay of Marrack.

Here the French crew were sent on shore, the officers receiving
permission, on giving their parole, to reside in the neighbouring
village. Every effort was now made to repair the "Sylvia's" damages,
and to fit the prize for going roun