e of the men.

"Indeed," observed the captain to the master--"we are nearer than you
thought."

"Something, sir, perhaps; but recollect how many hours you have kept
away after this vessel."

"Very true," rejoined the captain; "and the in-draught into the bargain.
I am not surprised at it."

"Shall we haul our wind, sir? we are on a dead lee-shore."

"No, Mr Pearce, not until the fate of that vessel is decided."

"Land on the weather-bow!" reported the boatswain.

"Indeed!" said the captain--"then the affair will soon be decided."

The vessels still continued their course in a slanting direction towards
the land, pursuer and pursued running on to destruction; but although
various indirect hints were given by the first-lieutenant and others,
Captain M--- turned a deaf ear. He surveyed the dangers which presented
themselves, and frowned upon them, as if in defiance.

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE.

An universal cry resounds aloud,
The sailors run in heaps, a helpless crowd;
Art fails, and courage falls; no succour near;
As many waves, as many deaths appear.
OVID, (DRYDEN'S TRANSLATION).

However we may be inclined to extend our admiration to the feelings of
self-devotion which governed the conduct of Captain M--- it cannot be a
matter of surprise that the officers of the frigate did not coincide
with his total indifference to self, in the discharge of his duty.
Murmur they did not; but they looked at each other, at the captain, and
at the perilous situation of the vessel, in silence, and with a restless
change of position that indicated their anxiety. Macallan was below
attending to the wounded men, or he would probably have been deputed by
the others to have remonstrated with the captain. A few minutes more
had elapsed, when the master again addressed him.

"I am afraid, sir, if we continue to stand on, that we shall lose the
frigate," said he, respectfully touching his hat.

"Be it so," replied Captain M---; "the enemy will lose a line-of-battle
ship; our country will be the gainer, when the account is balanced."

"I must be permitted to doubt that, sir; the value of the enemy's ship
is certainly greater; but there are other considerations."

"What are they?"

"The value of the respective officers and ships' companies, which must
inevitably share the fate of the two vessels. The captain of that ship
is not _worth his salt_. It would be politic to let him live, and
continue to command. His s