Part 28 (2/2)

He and most of the crew quickly climbed on board, followed by the boys

The falls were hooked on, and the boat hoisted up

Who his orders to the crew to ”brace round the yards,” but Mr Saltwell, the first lieutenant of their former shi+p

They stood for soed to attend to theate's head was now turned in the direction of the stranger they had seen to the eastward, towards which they observed that the glasses of several of the officers were directed

”Though she has not shown her colours, I feel positive that she's French,” observed the captain to Mr Saltwell

”I hope that you are right, sir,” was the answer; ”but we shall scarcely get up to her before dark”

”We shall get near enough to nal,” said the captain, ”and if she does not answer it we shall kno to treat her e do get up to her”

All the sail the frigate could carry was set, and as the breeze had increased, she ran rapidly through the water

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

THE FRIGATE IN ACTION--BILL SHOWS THAT HE CAN BE OF USE

The stranger, which had apparently been beating down Channel, now put up her hel studden sails stood to the eastward before the wind She failed also to answer the private signal; no doubt, therefore, remained that she was French, and wished to avoid an action, though, as she appeared to be as large as the English frigate, if not larger, this was so

”Perhaps she has some consorts to the eastward, and wishes to lead us into their ht,” observed Mr Saltwell

”She will find that she's ht,” said the captain

The first lieutenant, as he alking forward, caught sight of Bill and Jack

”Why, lads, where do you conised Bill

”Are you not the lad who gave notice of the plot of the American captain to capture our shi+p?” he asked

Bill acknowledged that such was the case

”I alad that you have escaped I promised our late captain that I would keep an eye on you,” he continued, ”and I shall now have the opportunity I thought you, with the rest of our poor fellows, had been lost when our shi+p blew up”

Bill briefly described their adventures, and the lieutenant seemed much interested He said he would have them at once entered on the shi+p's books, for as they were likely soon to be engaged with the enely sent for the purser, to whoave the proper directions Bill and Jack then alley they saw a boy busily e pots and pans He looked up at the

”What! Bill! Jack! I thought you had gone to Davy Jones's locker,” he exclaimed ”Are you really yourselves?”

”No doubt about it, Toain told their adventures

Tom soon recovered from his astonishment He appeared soot into a scrape, he acknowledged, and had been ordered to assist the cook's mate

”I wish you would tell hi pull, and that if he would give us soed to hiood-natured fellow, I daresay he will”