THE WATCH-TOWER OF KOAT-VEN. 587 



not then," continued Henry, "recommend the wounded to your 

 Assiduous care, but should any come down that are not wounded, 

 though I do not expect it, give them over to the master-at-arms, that 

 they may be immediately shot." 



On his return on deck, the Sylphide was considerably a-head of the 

 two ships; the cannonading was not heard so distinctly, and the 

 telegraphs had ceased to communicate signals. " Another tack, 

 Lieutenant : we cannot carry more sail, so wet the canvass. That 

 perhaps will give us one or two knots more." 



" The fire pump is not rigged, Sir," answered Thomas. " How's 

 that, Sir ? I expect it to be in constant readiness, under my orders." 

 " It shall be attended to, Sir." 



By this time the Sylphide had approached very near to the point 

 de Vouessant ; and had learnt from the signals on the telegraph, 

 that the French frigate had escaped from her enemies by entering a 

 most dangerous passage, where the English vessels could not dare to 

 pursue. Signals from the Thunderer ordered her to keep out to 

 sea, and serve as decoy to the English vessels, to bring them out 

 from beneath the Cape, and lead them into the track of the two 

 larger ships. The English ships soon perceived the frigate, and, 

 trusting in their superior force, made sail towards her. The Syl- 

 phide luffed up in the wind to approach the enemy, until they were 

 hardly more than a quarter of a mile apart; then, as if undecided, 

 gradually slackened sail. The English, on the other hand, pressed 

 all canvass, brought their broadsides to bear, and fired two shots, 

 which fell at a short distance from the frigate. The Sylphide, ap- 

 pearing to be for the first time sensible of the approach of danger, 

 bent all her canvass, and made all sail towards the fatal point, where 

 the two ships lay concealed. The English frigates imitated the 

 manoeuvre of the Sylphide, and pursued her closely for the purpose 

 of placing her between two fires, and preventing her from regaining 

 port. But scarcely had they doubled Cape Porclus before the Syl- 

 phide veered suddenly round, ran out to windward, hoisted the royal 

 ensign of France, and fired a broadside in midships. The two ships 

 were now seen bearing down with all sail upon the frigates ; and 

 finding themselves thus hemmed in on all sides, without the slightest 

 chance of escape, the English frigates hauled down their colours after 

 but a slight resistance. This unexpected expedition having terminated 

 so satisfactorily, the flag-ship made signals to the count to go on board 

 the Thunderer. " Bravo, Count de Vaudrey," exclaimed the com- 

 mander of the ship as Henry stepped on deck, "you have executed 

 our intentions admirably." " I could have wished," answered Henry, 

 " to have avoided so inglorious a command." " Pshaw ! man," re- 

 plied the commander, "it is fair war; one French frigate of four- 

 and-twenty guns were ill matched with two English frigates of 

 five-and-thirty. But I have despatches for you from the admiral, 

 and you are not to break the seal until you reach the latitude of the 

 Azores." 



***** 



The sun had just set beneath the western clouds, and the shades 

 of evening were beginning to creep over the face of nature, when 



