all get it, never fear." While we were speaking there was a
cessation of firing. "Can she have struck?" was asked by many of our
fellow-prisoners. We waited in breathless suspense. No intimation was
given to us of what had occurred. "The frigates cannot have given up
the fight, of that I am certain," I exclaimed. "Maybe they have just
hauled off to repair damages, and will be at it again," suggested Paul.

He was right. Like the voice of a giant awaking out of sleep the big
ship's guns began again to roar forth, quickly followed by a duller
sound, showing that her enemies were replying with as much energy as
before. For long the battle raged furiously. How we unfortunates, like
rats in a hole below, longed to be on deck, that we might see what was
going forward! Again there was a cessation of firing. What could have
happened? Had the Frenchman struck? That either of the English
frigates had done so of course none of us would believe. It was a time
of awful suspense to us all. One thing was certain, that though the
battle might have ceased the war of the elements was raging more
furiously than ever. From the way the ship rolled it was evident that
she was dismasted. Various sounds, the cause of which seamen alone
could understand, were heard. "I suspects, sir, as how we're in shoal
water; they've let go an anchor," said Paul, calmly, though he knew full
well the peril of our position. "But it doesn't hold, d'ye see, sir."
Signal guns were heard. A few minutes passed, to most of us the time
appeared far longer. A dull, ominous roaring sound reached even to our
ears down in the depths of the ship. "We are among the breakers!" I
sung out, jumping from my seat; and scarcely were the words out of my
mouth when a cry was heard from above, and words of compassion reached
our ears. "Pauvres Anglais! pauvres Anglais! Montez bien vites; nous
sommes tous perdus!" The sentinel rushed from his post and we prisoners
sprang on deck. Fenwick and I, with Paul and a few others, stopped,
however, to help the more weak and helpless, for among them were women
and children, unable to take care of themselves. The early dawn, as we
reached the deck, revealed a scene of horror rarely equalled: breakers
on every side, the masts gone, the decks slippery with human gore, and
the ship driving to destruction. At a little distance lay one of the
English frigates, the surf breaking over her, her fate sealed. The
other was o