The wind being very light, every stitch of canvas the _Thisbe_ could
carry was packed on her, and her course altered so as to cut off the
stranger. As the sun rose, and its beams lighted up the white canvas of
the latter, she was pronounced to be a full-rigged ship, either a
man-of-war or privateer, or a large merchantman, but at the distance she
was off it was difficult to determine whether she was a frigate or a
flush-decked vessel. Captain Martin hoped that she would prove to be a
frigate, and an antagonist worthy of engaging. She must have seen the
_Thisbe_ approaching, but either took her for a friend or believed that
she was well able to cope with her, as she did not alter her course.
Captain Martin calculated that the _Thisbe_ would be up with the
stranger before noon. Every telescope on board was directed towards
her. Bill wished that he had one, that he might form an opinion as to
what she was. He heard some officers talking, and they declared that
she was undoubtedly French, and was either a large man-of-war corvette,
or a privateer. If such were the case, and the _Thisbe_ could get up to
her, she would be captured to a certainty, though she would probably
fight, and try to knock away some of the _Thisbe's_ spars, so as to
effect her escape. The wind, which had hitherto been blowing from the
southward and south, suddenly shifted to the east. As soon as the
stranger felt it, she was seen to haul her tacks on board, brace up her
yards, and stand away towards the land.
"She's going to run on shore," exclaimed Jack, who had been watching her
as eagerly as any one, when his duty would allow him to take a look-out.
"More likely she knows of a harbour or battery in there, and is running
in for shelter," answered Bill.
"We shan't be able to take her then," said Jack. "I was making sure we
should have her as our prize."
"I won't say we shan't take her, notwithstanding," observed Bill.
"Perhaps we shall fight the battery and her too, if she brings up under
one. Or if she runs into a harbour, the boats may be sent in after her
to bring her out."
As soon as the stranger was seen standing to the southward, the _Thisbe_
also hauled up to continue the pursuit, but the chase was still beyond
the reach of her guns.
"We shan't catch her after all," said Jack, who had taken another look
at the stranger some time after she had altered her course.
"I don't see that we have not still a chance of coming up with her,"
answered Bill. "The captain thinks so, or he would not be keeping after
her. Perhaps she may be becalmed closer in with the land, or we may
draw near enough to knock away her masts. We have gained a mile on her
during the last hour. I would always try to succeed while a single
chance remains, and I would never knock under to an enemy while I had a
stick standing, or a plank beneath my feet."
Still, notwithstanding Bill's sanguine hopes of success, as the day wore
on there seemed every probability that the French ship would make good
her escape. It was now seen that she was steering for a harbour, the
mouth of which could be distinguished from the deck of the _Thisbe_,
with a battery on one side.
"Our bow chasers will reach her, Mr Saltwell," cried the captain, at
length.
The order to fire was eagerly obeyed. The frigate, however, had to yaw
for the purpose. One of the shot was seen to go right through the sails
of the chase, but the other fell on one side.
The guns were quickly reloaded, and were fired immediately the ship was
kept away sufficiently for the purpose. Again one of the shot took
effect, but what damage was done it was impossible to say, and the chase
stood on as before.
The manoeuvre was repeated several times, causing the frigate to lose
ground; but a fortunate shot would have enabled her quickly to regain
it. Though several of the _Thisbe's_ shot took effect, the chase
continued her course, firing in return from a gun run out astern; but
none of the shot struck her pursuer. At last, however, the chase ran
past the battery, which shortly afterwards opened fire. Captain Martin
returned it with such effect that two of the guns were silenced, when
the frigate's head was put off shore, and she stood away to avoid the
risk of being becalmed should the wind fall, as was very likely, towards
evening.
"I say, Bill, I really believe that's the very place we got away from on
our raft," said Jack.
"No doubt about it," answered Bill. "I remember the look of the land to
the eastward, and I feel pretty sure I could find my way up the
harbour."
Bill had scarcely said this when he heard his name called, and he was
told to go to the first lieutenant.
"Do you recollect anything about the harbour up there?" asked Mr
Saltwell.
"Yes, sir," answered Bill. "I remember it was the one from which Peek
and I got off, and I was thinking I could make my way up it at night, if
I had to do so."
"You will have an opportunity to-night, I hope, of showing your
knowledge. The captain intends to send up the boats to try and cut out
the vessel we chased into the harbour. I am to command the expedition,
and I will take you with me."
"Thank you, sir," said Bill, touching his hat. "I feel pretty sure that
I know my way up to the landing-place, and I do not suppose that a ship
the size of the chase could get up higher."
"You can go forward now, and be ready to accompany me when you are
summoned," said Mr Saltwell.
Bill felt highly gratified by the confidence placed in him, and was
thankful that he had so thoroughly observed the harbour before he and
Jack had made their escape. The frigate, meantime, was standing out to
sea, so that by the time the sun went down she could not be perceived
from the shore. She was then hove-to, and preparations were made for
the intended expedition.
Lieutenant Saltwell went in the barge, the third lieutenant in the
launch, and the lieutenant of marines, with the senior mate, in the
cutter, the oars of all the boats being muffled, so that no sound would
betray their approach to the enemy.
The frigate then again stood in, taking care to show no lights, when in
perfect silence the boats shoved off, carrying among them about fifty
officers and men. Lieutenant Saltwell called Bill aft to take a seat by
his side. Before leaving the frigate, the captain had directed the
first lieutenant to return should he find the ship so moored as to
render it impossible to bring her out. Bill, however, told him that he
had observed a vessel at anchor some way below the landing-place, and
that he supposed no large craft could get up higher on account of the
shallowness of the water. The wind, which had hitherto been east and
north-east, again shifting to the southward, blew directly down the
harbour, which would enable the ship, should she be captured, to be
brought down without difficulty.
Bill's heart beat quicker than usual as he thought of the work in hand,
and recollected that the success of the undertaking might considerably
depend upon him. The night was very dark, but as the boats got up to
the mouth of the harbour the lights on shore could be distinguished, as
well as several on board vessels at anchor. The boats kept clear of the
latter, lest any of their people might discover them and give the alarm.
The barge led, the launch and cutter following in succession. The
success of the undertaking would depend on their being able to take the
enemy by surprise.
As yet no signs had been perceived that their approach was discovered,
and Bill advised that they should keep over to the west shore, where
there were no vessels at anchor, but where he was sure there was water
for the boats, from having seen a good-sized craft keeping that course
at low tide.
As they got higher up, the sound of voices came off the shore, as if the
people were laughing and making merry. This gave Mr Saltwell hopes
that many of the crew were landed, and that those on board would be
totally unprepared for an attack. He intended to board on the starboard
quarter, and he had given directions to the other officers, one to board
on the larboard quarter and the other at the main chains, his object
being to overpower the resistance the officer's would make aft, then to
sweep the decks until the forecastle was gained. One of the boats was
immediately to shove ahead and cut the cable, while certain of the men
had been directed to hoist the headsails, so that the prize might,
without an instant's delay, be making her way down the harbour before
any assistance could come off to her from the land.
The moment for action was approaching. The ship was seen at the spot
where Bill thought she would be found, lying silent and dark, her tall
masts and the tracery of her rigging just to be distinguished against
the sky. No one was observed moving on her deck. Eagerly the boats
dashed forward to the posts allotted to them. The bows of the barge had
just hooked on when the sentry on the gangway, who had evidently not
been attending to his duty, shouted out, and fired his musket.
The rest of the watch came rushing aft, but it was to encounter the crew
of the barge, who, having climbed up her side, had already gained her
deck. Their officers at the same moment sprang up the companion-hatch,
sword in hand, but were knocked over before they could strike a blow.
The crews of the other boats had, in the meantime, gained the deck, but
not before the rest of the Frenchmen came tumbling up from below armed
with cutlasses and pikes, or such weapons as they could lay their hands
on. Though they made a bold stand, and endeavoured to defend the fore
part of the ship, they had to retreat before the desperate charge of the
boarders, who, with cutlasses flashing and cutting, soon hewed a way for
themselves to the forecastle, leaving the deck on either side covered
with dead or wounded men. Not a word had been spoken, and scarcely a
shout uttered, but the clashing of steel and flashing of pistols must
have showed the people on shore what was going forward.
The mate, to whom the duty had been assigned, having in the meantime
carried his boat under the bows, quickly cut the cable, then allowing
her to drift alongside, he sprang on to the forecastle, where he took
charge of the party engaged in making sail.
The third lieutenant, though he was severely wounded, went aft to the
helm, and in less than three minutes from the time the boats got
alongside, the prize, under her foresail and foretopsail, was standing
down the harbour.
Bill, having got hold of a pistol, kept close to Mr Saltwell, that he
might be ready to assist him or obey any orders he might receive. A few
only of his men were standing round the lieutenant when a party of the
French crew, who had already yielded, led by the boatswain, a big,
sturdy fellow, whose cutlass had already brought two of the English
seamen to the deck, suddenly attacked him, hoping to regain the ship.
The sailors had enough to do to defend themselves, and the big boatswain
was making a desperate blow at the lieutenant's head, when Bill, who
thought it a time to use his pistol with effect, fired, and the
boatswain fell, his cutlass dropping from his hand. His followers on
this sprang back, and, throwing down their weapons, cried for mercy.
"I saw you do it, my lad," said the lieutenant. "The second time you
have saved my life. I'll not forget it."
The English sailors now had work enough to do to prevent the Frenchmen
from rising. While sail was being made, numerous boats also were seen
coming off from the shore full of armed men, evidently with the
intention of attempting to board the prize. Sail after sail was let
drop, and the ship ran faster and faster through the water. She was
not, however, as yet entirely won. Her crew, though beaten down below,
were still very numerous, and might, should they find the boats of their
friends coming alongside, at any moment rise and try to regain her. The
fort also had to be passed, and the garrison were sure to have heard the
uproar and would open fire as soon as she got within range of their
guns.
Notwithstanding this, the British seamen performed their various duties
as steadily as if they were on board their own ship. Some were aloft,
loosing sails; others ran out the guns, ready to give the boats a warm
reception, and others kept an eye on the prisoners.
The breeze freshened, and the prize in a short time reached the mouth of
the harbour. No sooner had she done so than the guns from the fort, as
had been expected, opened fire, and their shot, thick as hail, came
crashing on board. Several men were struck, and the sails shot through
and through. None of the yards, however, were carried away, and the
canvas stood filled out with the breeze.
A number of prisoners had remained on deck, with sentries over them, as
the shot struck the ship. Several, to avoid it, endeavoured to escape
below. Some succeeded, not waiting to descend by the ladders, but
leaping down, to the no small risk of breaking their arms and legs.
There was still more sail to be set, and Bill was pulling and hauling,
when he saw a shot come plump in among a party of prisoners. Three
fell; the rest, in spite of the sentries, making a desperate rush, leapt
down the main hatchway.
Bill at that moment saw a young Frenchman, who had been struck,
struggling on the deck, and a voice crying out which he thought he
recognised.
He sprang towards the sailor, and lifted him up. He was not mistaken;
it was his friend Pierre.
"Are you badly hurt?" he asked in French.
"I'm afraid so, in my side," was the answer. "My poor mother, and
Jeannette, I shall never see them more."
"I hope that things are not so bad as that," responded Bill. "I will
try and get you below. Here!" and he called to one of the prisoners who
had remained on deck, and who, being very glad to get out of the way of
the shot, willingly assisted Bill in dragging the wounded man to the
companion-hatchway, down which the two together lifted him, and placed
him in the gun-room.
Fortunately the French surgeon had been ill in his berth, but had now
got up, prepared to attend to his professional duties. As yet, however,
none of the wounded prisoners had been brought aft, and Pierre, who had
been placed on the gun-room table, was the first man the surgeon took
under his care.
"He is not badly hurt, I hope," said Bill, rather anxiously.
"That's more than I can say, my young friend," answered the surgeon,
"but I will attend to him. I shall have patients enough on my hands
directly, I fear."
Bill felt that he ought not to remain a moment longer below, though he
greatly wished to learn how much Pierre had been injured. All he could
do, therefore, was to press his friend's hand, and spring up again on
deck.
The battery was still firing away at the prize, and every now and then a
crashing sound, as the shot struck her, showed that she was within range
of its guns; but she was rapidly distancing the boats, which could now
only be dimly seen astern.
The British crew raised a cheer when they found that they had to a
certainty secured their prize. Still the battery continued firing, but
not another shot struck her, and at length the dim outline of the
_Thisbe_ was seen ahead. Shortly afterwards the prize, rounding to
under the frigate's quarter, was received with hearty cheers by her
crew.