V.

The arrival of the "Hecate" relieved the "Vestal," which was ordered to

proceed at once to sea. Poor Alice received Captain Ripley with marks

of sorrow in her countenance which alarmed him. "My father will not

hear of it," she exclaimed, giving way to a burst of grief; "but I told

him, and I promise you, that I will marry no one else."

"I know, I feel, and I am sure you will not, dearest," said Pearce,

tenderly gazing at her. "And be of good courage, I trust yet to do

deeds and to gain a name to which those who now scorn me for my humble

birth may be proud to ally themselves."

Pearce had never before uttered anything like a boast, but his swelling

heart assured him of what he could do, and his indignation at the

contempt in which his father was held made him speak in a vaunting tone

so different to his nature. The moment of parting arrived; Alice,

unasked, renewed her promise, and Pearce hurried on board unwilling to

encounter any of his ordinary acquaintances in the town. It was well

for Harry Verner that he did not fall in with him. Before night the

corvette was far away from Halifax. Pearce was not exactly unhappy, but

he was in an excellent mood for undertaking any daring act which might

present itself. Once more he returned to Jamaica, picking up a few

prizes on the way. "Always welcome, Captain Ripley," said the admiral,

cordially greeting Pearce when he appeared at the Penn to report

himself. "You've done so well in the sloop that we must get you into a

smart frigate; you'll not have to wait long for a vacancy, I dare say."

This commendation was sufficient to restore Pearce's spirits. He hoped

to do something before the corvette had to return home. There are two

classes of people who hope to do something--one waits for the

opportunity to occur, the other goes in search of it and seldom fails in

the search. Pearce Ripley belonged to the latter class. Several more

prizes were taken, and a considerable amount of damage done to the

commerce of the enemy; but still the "Vestal" had not fallen in with an

enemy the conquest of whom would bring glory as well as profit. Week

after week passed away. It had been blowing hard. The wind dropped at

sunset; the night was very dark and thick, an object could scarcely have

been discerned beyond the bowsprit end. The island of Deserade,

belonging to France, bore south-east by south, six or seven leagues,

when, as day broke and the light increased, a ship was perceived close

on the weather-beam, which in a short time was made out to be an enemy's

frigate. The breeze had by this time sprung up again and was blowing

fresh.

"We may fight her or try to escape," said the captain to Bonham, eyeing

the frigate as if he would rather try fighting first.

"I should say that the odds being so greatly against us we ought to try

to escape," answered the first lieutenant; "but I speak my own

sentiments, and I am sure that of all on board, if fight we must, we

will all be ready to stand by you to the last. Victory does not always

side with the biggest."

Sail was accordingly made to the north-west, but no sooner had she

shaped a course than the frigate under a cloud of canvas came tearing

after her at a rate which proved that the "Vestal" had not a chance of

escaping. The crew showed by unmistakeable signs that they expected to

be captured, by going below and putting on their best clothes. Pearce

called them aft, "Lads, we have served together for three years, and

done many a deed to be proud of. Do not let the Frenchmen boast that

they took us without our having done our best to prevent them. I

purpose to fight that frigate if you will stand by me, and that I am

sure you will."

"Ay, ay, that we will, and would if she were twice as big, and sink at

our guns before we strike," shouted Dick Rogers, and their loud cheers

expressed the sentiments of the rest. The corvette at once prepared for

action, and as soon as all was ready she shortened sail to allow the

frigate to come up, greatly to the Frenchmen's surprise probably. The

latter began firing as soon as her guns could reach the corvette. "Let

not a shot be returned till I give the order, lads," cried Ripley; "we

must throw none away." He waited till his carronades would tell with

effect. "Now give it them, lads," he shouted.

The heavy shot crashed against the side of the frigate in a way which

astonished the Frenchmen. With wonderful rapidity the guns were run in,

loaded, and again sent forth their death-dealing shower of iron, this

time tearing through the frigate's upper bulwarks, sweeping across her

quarterdeck and wounding her masts. "Hurrah! we have knocked away her

wheel," cried Bonham, who had sprung into the mizen rigging to ascertain

the effect of the last broadside; "she's ours, if we are smart with our

guns."

The Frenchmen had just fired a broadside which had killed three of the

"Vestal's" crew, knocked one of her boats to pieces, and done other

damage, but had not materially injured her running rigging. Firing

another broadside in return, Pearce saw that by wearing sharp round he

could pass under the stem of the frigate, and at the same time bring a

fresh broadside to bear on her. The manoeuvre was rapidly executed, the

effect was very great on board the enemy. The crew were seen to be

hurrying to and fro as if in dread of some event about to occur. It was

next seen that all sail was being made on the frigate. The men had

deserted their guns. The British seamen plied the enemy with their

carronades with still greater energy. The great masses of iron were

hauled in and out as if they had been made of wood. Their only fear was

that their antagonist would escape them. More sail was made on the

corvette to keep up with him. To prevent the corvette from following,

the Frenchmen again returned to their guns, and the frigate suddenly

hauling up let fly her broadside. Pearce saw the manoeuvre about to be

executed, and was just in time to haul up also to save the "Vestal" from

being raked. The frigate's shot, accompanied by a shower of musketry,

came tearing on board. Hitherto one officer and four men had been

killed on board the "Vestal," and six wounded, including the master

slightly--a heavy loss out of a sloop's complement, but Pearce saw

victory within his grasp, and resolved to persevere. The last broadside

from the frigate told with fearful effect on the corvette. Her spars

and rigging were much cut about; three more men wore struck, and the

brave captain was seen to stagger back. Had not Rogers sprang forward

and caught him in his arms he would have fallen to the deck. He was

speechless, but he motioned to Bonham, who ran up to continue the fight.

When an attempt was made to carry him below, he signified that he would

remain on deck till the battle was won. The surgeon came up and

stanched the blood flowing from his shoulder. The nervous system had

received a violent shock, but he could not tell whether the mound would

prove mortal, the surgeon reported. Still the battle raged. The French

were again seen to quit their guns. The corvette followed up her

success. It was observed that buckets were being hauled up through the

ports, the frigate must be on fire; her foremast fell, the corvette

ranged up alongside, the French ensign was still flying. Bonham was

ordering another broadside to be poured in, when down came the enemy's

flag, and at that moment, Pearce recovering, joined in the cheer which

burst from the lips of the British crew.

"Go and help the poor fellows," were the first words the young captain

spoke. The corvette's boats which could swim were lowered and armed

with buckets, the English seamen hurried up the sides of their late

opponent. Her deck presented everywhere signs of their prowess, covered

with the bodies of the slain, and the wreck of the foremast and rigging;

the wheel had been shot away and three men killed at it. As a security

Bonham, who had gone on board and received the commanding officer's

sword, the captain having been killed, sent him and three others on

board the corvette, while he and his men set to work to extinguish the

flames. The magazine was happily drowned, which was of itself a

sufficient reason for the frigate to have struck, though the state of

her masts and spars, and the number of her killed and wounded showed the

skill and courage of her comparatively tiny opponent. The fire was at

length got under, very much by the efforts of the Englishmen, who had to

hint to the French that if they did not exert themselves they would be

left to perish, as it would be impossible to get them all on board the

corvette before the frigate would become untenable. The corvette and

her prize having been put somewhat to rights, made sail for Jamaica.

They had a long passage up, and the greatest vigilance was necessary to

keep the prisoners in order. A plot was discovered for retaking the

frigate, and Bonham had to threaten the French officers with severe

punishment should anything of the sort be again attempted.

Pearce Ripley lay in his cabin unable to move. The hearts of the

officers and men were deeply grieved, for the surgeon would not

pronounce a favourable opinion. He was young, and had a good

constitution. He might recover. The corvette succeeded in carrying her

prize to Jamaica. The admiral himself came on board to see Ripley and

to congratulate him on his achievement. "Your promotion is certain,

Captain Ripley," he said kindly; "and I should think his Majesty, when

he hears of your gallantry, won't forget to give a touch on your

shoulder with the flat of his sword, eh. You will find a handle to your

name convenient, and you deserve it, that you do, my lad."

The admiral's kindness contributed much to restore Pearce to health.

While he remained on shore Bonham received an acting order to take

command of the "Vestal." Before Pearce had totally recovered he

received his post rank with a complimentary letter on his gallantry.

Bonham, at the same time, found that he was made a commander; the

"Vestal," having been upwards of four years in commission, was ordered

home. Captain Ripley taking a passage in her. She escaped all the

enemy's cruisers, and arrived safely in Portsmouth harbour. She was,

however, considered fit to go to sea again after an ordinary repair, and

was recommissioned by Captain Bonham. Pearce was sent for by the First

Lord of the Admiralty to attend the King's levee. He was presented to

his Majesty, that good old king who truly loved a sailor, and knew how

to appreciate honour and valour. On kneeling to kiss his sovereign's

hand he felt a touch on his shoulder, and with astonishment, gratitude,

and delight, heard the King say, "Rise, Sir Pearce Ripley; you are well

deserving of knighthood."

Pearce felt very much inclined to shake the King cordially by the hand,

and to assure his Majesty that no reward could be more satisfactory. He

did not, however, nor did he say why he was so pleased with the rank

bestowed on him, but made the usual bow, and moved off to allow others

to present themselves. There was one, however, waiting for him outside

the palace, as fine and officer-like looking man as any of those present

in admirals' or post-captains' uniforms--his father, and the knowledge

of the intense delight his promotion gave him, greatly added to the

satisfaction Pearce felt on the occasion. Sir Pearce Ripley was

gazetted the next day to the command of a fine frigate, the name of

which he soon made well-known by the gallant exploits he performed in

her.