Part 30 (2/2)

As they reached her deck, an officer advanced with his sword in his hand, and presented it to Mr Sterling, who, receiving it, handed it to Bill

The French officer announced that he was the second lieutenant of the _Diana_ frigate, which it was his misfortune now to yield into the possession of her British conquerors

Mr Sterling bowed in return

”Tell hie how bravely he and his countryh they have lost her, they have not lost their honour”

The French lieutenant looked highly gratified at this remark when Bill interpreted it, and desired hilish lieutenant

The captain and first lieutenant had been killed, as were no less than thirty of the crew, including other officers, while fifty ounded

The deck, indeed, presented a dreadful scene--strewed in every direction with corpses, while many poor felloere so fearfully injured that their shi+p to move them

The other officers presented their swords, while the seamen unbuckled their cutlasses, and the h ed their shoulders, observing that what had happened to them was the fortune of war Billwith the French officers and crew

One of the _Diana's_ boats had escaped injury, and she, being lowered, assisted the other boats in carrying the prisoners on board the _Thisbe_ They far outnuilance was required to keep them in order

The prize crew sent on board the _Diana_ set to work, under the co, to stop the shot-holes in her sides, and to repair her other ed forward, to supply the place of the fore conveyed on board the _Thisbe_, the prize was taken in tow, and sail was reatest iet away froht spring up and drive the two shi+ps upon it; or if, as Captain Martin suspected, a French squadron was in the neighbourhood, the sound of the firing ht have reached them, and they would very probably come up to ascertain what had taken place, when the prize would be recaptured, and the _Thisbe_ herself ht find it very difficult to escape

Everybody on board had, therefore, ample work to do; besides which the prisoners in both shi+ps had to be watched Several had been allowed to re to the wounded men An eye had also to be kept on them

Mr Saltwell sent for Bill, who had returned to the _Thisbe_

”I remember well how you behaved on board the _Foxhound_, and I want you to keep a watch on the prisoners, and letsuspicious They will probably reh, as they must know that they would have very little chance of success should they attempt to rise upon us At the same time it is better to be on the safe side, and not to trust the French to the officers, and will be careful what they say when they see me near them,” answered Bill; ”but there's my messmate, Jack Peek, as in France with o' as well as I do; and as they have not heard hi, they'll not suspect hi thehts of mischief”

Mr Saltwell approved of Bill's proposal, and gave hi below, soon found out his messmate

Jack ell pleased at the confidence placed in him, and promised to keep his eyes and ears well open

There was no time for conversation just then, for every man in the shi+p was busy, and the boys anted to assist theate and her prize had ht look-out was kept for any eneradually stole over the ocean, none had appeared

During that night none of the English officers or men turned in The most tired snatched a few moments of sleep at intervals as best they could when off watch

The Frenchuns, with sentries placed over theht have overpowered the sentries at the cost of a few of their own lives Fortunately none of the shot, and reht, and the _Thisbe_ and her prize ress

The captain anxiously waited the return of