"I hope so, sir, I hope so," said True Blue; but he felt very sad about the matter.

This conversation took place during a short cessation of firing, when for some reason, not ascertained, the French troops retreated. They now came back with more field-pieces, and opened on the ships. Happily the ebb just then made, and a light breeze sprung up and blew down the harbour. A fire was kept up from the ships, however, all the time, while the anchor was weighed; and, the topsails being sheeted home, they stood out of the harbour.

Still the shot followed them. They had got some way when True Blue felt himself struck to the deck. He lay some little time before being observed in the dark, and then he was carried below. He knew no more, till he heard a voice, in a tone of deep grief, saying, "Oh, doctor, is he killed ?"

It was that of Paul Pringle.

"I have

"I hope not, boatswain," was the answer. extracted the bullet, which was pretty deep in; and I trust he may do well."

CHAPTER XXI.

Capture of Sir Sidney Smith-Home again-A Press Gang. As True Blue lay wounded in his hammock, he made daily, almost hourly, inquiries after Sir Henry; and nothing seemed to expedite his own recovery so much as hearing that the lieutenant was considered out of danger.

Paul Pringle had not been so anxious about his godson' as might have been supposed, for he knew that he had a good constitution; and he had seen so many people recover from bad wounds, that he was not alarmed. Still, every moment he could spare from duty was passed by the side of his hammock; indeed, his other godfathers and friends bore him constant company, and assisted to keep up his spirits.

The "Gannet" still continued in company with the "Diamond"; and True Blue's chief unhappiness arose at not being allowed to join the various cutting-out expeditions, in which the crews of the two ships were engaged.

At length, by the time that they once more stood up channel both Sir Henry and True Blue were sufficiently recovered to go on deck, the lieutenant being almost fit to do some duty, though the latter was not allowed to exert himself.

Sir Sidney had invited the young lieutenant to spend a day or two on board the frigate, as he said, for change

of air; and Sir Henry got leave for True Blue to accompany him, for the purpose, in reality, of making him known to one who, brave himself, could so well appreciate bravery in others; and who, if he had the will, would probably have the means of forwarding the young seaman's interests.

Soon after this, in a thick fog, the frigate parted company with the corvette. The " Diamond had taken a number of prizes, and sent them away under the command of various officers, so that she had very few left. Sir Sidney had intended to go the next day into Portsmouth to pick them up, when he fell in with a schooner making for the French coast, which turned out to be a prize to a French privateer lugger, the Vengeur," known to have taken a number of prizes. From the prisoners, Sir Sidney learned, that she had the character of being very fast, that she was armed with ten nine-pounders, that her commander was a very enterprizing character himself, and that she had been in vain chased on several occasions by British cruisers.

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"Then we must put a stop to this gentleman's proceedings," exclaimed Sir Sidney. "We may not gain much glory, but we shall be doing good service to the commerce of our country; and that, after all, is our duty, and I take it we could not be engaged in more honourable work than in the performance of our duty."

"Certainly not, sir," warmly responded the young lieutenant, his guest. "And, if you will give me leave, I will accompany you. I am quite able to endure fatigue, and will take my young shipmate, True Blue Freeborn, with me, of whom I spoke to you; a gallant fellow, who has twice saved my life."

A NIGHT ATTACK.

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Sir Sidney, who delighted in the sort of spirit exhibited by the young lieutenant, at once acceded to his wishes; and arranged that he should have charge of one of the boats. The frigate stood in, and soon discovered the lugger at anchor in the outer roads. The first lieutenant was on shore in England, the second was very ill, and the third lay in his berth severely wounded; so Sir Sidney gave notice that he himself would take command of the expedition.

The information was received with infinite satisfaction on board, because, in the first place, it seemed certain that there was some dashing work to be done; and, in the second, it was believed in whatever the Captain engaged he succeeded. The necessary preparations were rapidly carried out. An 18-pounder carronade was mounted in the frigate launch, and her crew were also armed with muskets; three other boats were armed with smaller guns on swivels, and muskets; and one with muskets only, a wherry, pulling two

oars.

Everything was ready by ten o'clock at night, when Sir Sidney Smith, who was in high spirits, pushed off from the frigate, taking the lead of the other boats, in his small wherry. In perfect silence they pulled away, till through the darkness they perceived the lugger ahead of them. The crews now lay on their oars, while their Captain, in a clear, distinct voice, issued his definitive orders.

Understand, my lads, we must not alarm the enemy sooner than we can help. Give her a wide berth, therefore, and get between her and the shore, so that those on board, if they see us, may fancy that we are fishing-boats dropping out of the harbour. Then pull

directly for the lugger, and be on board her as soon as possible."

No further words were wasted. When they had got to the position indicated, no apparent notice was taken of them, and they hoped to get close alongside undiscovered.

"Pass the word along to the men to reserve their fire till the Frenchmen open theirs," said the Captain, who continued ahead. "Now, my lads, pull straight for her."

Away dashed the boats as fast as their crews could urge them. The Frenchmen were all asleep, or the watch on deck had not made them out. When, however, about a musket-shot off, lights were seen, and there was a considerable bustle on deck, and hallooing and shouting; on they dashed; they had got within half-pistol shot of the lugger, when "Tire! tire!" was heard, and a volley was let fly amongst them. As usual, the dose, instead of checking their progress, only stimulated them to greater exertions. The marines and small-arm men returned the fire in right good earnest, while the boats advanced more rapidly than before.

The

The Frenchmen had been very much taken by surprise; they had barely time to load their guns; but as they had not pointed them precisely, most of the shots flew over the heads of their opponents, and there had been no time to trice up the boarding-nettings. British were, therefore, soon alongside; a fierce handto-hand conflict commenced with pistols, boarding-pikes and cutlasses, and the gallant assailants began to climb over her low bulwarks, and furiously to attack the enemy with cutlass and pistol. The French crew, though far