f them. His men also saw
this, and giving an enthusiastic cheer they sprang upon the foe and beat
them back. Bill Bowls was borne down in the rush by his friends, but he
quickly regained his legs. Ben Bolter also recovered and jumped up. In
five minutes more they were masters of the ship--hauled down the
colours, and hoisted the Union Jack at the Frenchman's peak.

During the whole course of this action the _Gloire_, which had drifted
within range, kept up a galling fire of musketry from her tops on the
deck of the _Waterwitch_. Just as the _St. Denis_ was captured, a ball
struck Captain Ward on the forehead, and he fell dead without a groan.

The first lieutenant, who was standing by his side at the moment, after
hastily calling several men to convey their commander below, ordered the
starboard guns of the prize to be fired into the _Gloire_. This was
done with such effect that it was not found necessary to repeat the
dose. The Frenchman immediately hauled down his colours, and the fight
was at an end.

It need scarcely be said that the satisfaction with which this victory
was hailed was greatly modified by the loss of brave Captain Ward, who
was a favourite with his men, and one who would in all probability have
risen to the highest position in the service, had he lived. He fell
while his sun was in the zenith, and was buried in the ocean, that wide
and insatiable grave, which has received too many of our brave seamen in
the prime of life.

The first lieutenant, on whom the command temporarily devolved,
immediately set about repairing damages, and, putting a prize crew into
each of the French ships, sailed with them to the nearest friendly port.

The night after the action Bill Bowls, Ben Bolter, and Tom Riggles sat
down on the heel of the bowsprit to have a chat.

"Not badly hit?" asked Ben of Bill, who was examining the bandage on his
left arm.

"Nothin' to speak of," said Bill; "only a scratch. I'm lucky to have
got off with so little; but I say, Ben, how does your head feel? That
Mounseer had a handy way o' usin' the handspike. I do believe he would
have cracked any man's skull but your own, which must be as thick as the
head of an elephant. I see'd it comin', but couldn't help ye.
Hows'ever, I saved ye from a second dose."

"It wos pritty hardish," said Ben, with a smile, an' made the stars
sparkle in my brain for all the world like the rory borailis, as I've
see'd so often in the northern sk