tone. "I've never been in a battle, and I really want to see what it is
like."

"He's wonderfully cool," thought Paul. "He hasn't seen the dead men
there, forward. It would be some satisfaction if he would show himself
to be a coward, after all. I could throw it in his teeth when he
attempts to tyrannise over me."

Paul's feelings were very far from right; but they were natural,
unfortunately. Gilbert's firm step and light laugh showed that there
was little chance of Paul's wishes being realised. Now a rumour spread
from gun to gun that the enemy were again drawing near. The men took a
firmer hold of the gun-tackles, hitched up their trousers, drew their
belts tighter round their waists, or gave some similar sign of
preparation for the coming struggle.

"Silence, fore and aft!" cried the officer in command of the deck.

He was repeating the order which the captain had just given above. The
frigate plunged on heavily through the seas. The awful moment was
approaching. There was neither jest nor laughter now. The men were
eagerly looking through the ports. The lights from two ships were seen
on the weather beam. In smooth water the enemy having the weather-gauge
would have been to the disadvantage of the _Cerberus_; but with the
heavy sea which then ran it mattered, fortunately, less.

"Starboard guns! Fire! fire!" was shouted by the officers.

"Hurrah, lads! We have the first of it this time, and it's my belief we
hit the mounseer," cried Reuben Cole, as he discharged his gun.

Scarcely had the smoke cleared off from the deck when the roar of the
enemy's guns was heard, and several shot came crashing against the side.
One, coming through a port, passed close above Paul's head, and though
it sent the splinters flying about in every direction, no one was hurt.

"I've an idea there'll be work for the carpenters, to plug the
shot-holes," cried Reuben, as the guns, being rapidly run in, loaded,
and run out again, he stood ready for the command to fire.

It soon came, and the whole broadside of the _Cerberus_ was poured, with
good aim, into the bows of the leading Frenchman, which had attempted to
pay her the same compliment. For a few moments at a time Paul could
catch sight of the lights of the enemy's ships through the ports; but
the smoke from their own guns quickly again shut out all objects, except
the men standing close to him. Paul had plenty to do; jumping up to
deliver the powder, and runn