MORNING AFTER THE BATTLE--RONALD PLACED ON QUARTERDECK--RONALD SENT ON
BOARD THE PRIZE--A SUSPICIOUS SAIL IN SIGHT--GALLANT DEFENCE OF THE
"THISBE"--NIGHT CLOSES ON THE FIGHT.
As the bright cheerful light of morning broke on the world of waters,
there lay the two frigates, which, when the sun went down, looked so
gallant and so trim--now shorn of their beauty, shattered and blackened
wrecks.
The foremast of the "Thisbe" was alone standing, while all the masts of
the French frigate, with their sails, and yards, and rigging, hung in
masses of wreck and confusion over her sides. The decks covered with
blood and gore, and the shattered remnants of mortality, presented a
horrible and disgusting scene; while the broken bulwarks, the decks
ploughed up, the wheel shot away, and the ruined condition of every part
of the ship, showed the desperate nature of the conflict, and told of
the bravery of the gallant French crew who had endured so much before
they had consented to yield.
Onboard the "Thisbe" the carpenters were busily employed in patching up
some of the boats, so that the prisoners might be removed from the
prize, while the rest of the crew were engaged in clearing away the
wreck of the masts, and in preparing to make sail on the ship.
Ronald was in attendance on his father in his cabin. The boatswain had
been more hurt than he supposed; but he did his utmost to conceal his
suffering from his son.