Part 35 (2/2)

When he came on shore, Mrs Crofton assisted him, and as she knew French very well, helped hirammar and dictionary, which he found very easy, as he already understood sowith Pierre

The young Frenchman slowly recovered, but the doctor, who came to visit hi tith and be able to return to France

Bill had written, at Pierre's dictation, to Madaot, to tell her where he hat had happened to him, and hoell he was treated It was rather a funny coreat scholar, and could not say how the words should be spelt, but Bill showed it to Mrs Crofton, who assured hireat object required, and that Madaot would be satisfied, from the tone and expression, that it caular post in those days between the two countries

Pierre, however, at length got an answer fro her heartfelt thanks to Lieutenant Saltwell and Bill, and the kind lady who had befriended hiot and Jeannette

The letter arrived just as the _Thisbe_ was ready for sea Mary could not help bursting into tears when Bill took his leave for the last ti away,” she said Indeed, it was evident that she looked upon Bill as another Oliver, and even Mrs Crofton showed how sincerely sorry she was to part with her young visitor, who had so greatly won on her affections

She proot to let her kno Pierre was getting on; but there appeared no probability of his being able to ate caeh sorry to leave his kind friends, Bill was very glad to be at sea again, and engaged in the active duties of his profession Histhemselves the improvement in his manners, while two or three fresh ained his promotion, looked upon hiet his old friends, and Jack was always pleased when he came forward to talk to him, and did not appear at all jealous, which could not be said of Tos, was inclined to keep out of his way, and sometimes answered in rather a surly tone when spoken to, always taking care to bring in the ”sir” after every sentence, and touching his hat with h he could not fail to observe, took no notice

The _Thisbe_ had been several weeks at sea, and had during that ti a shot, three of the enemy's nacious of the crew gru encountered an enemy worthy of their prowess, and which would have afforded theer amount of prize-money

Captain Martin was about to return to port to take on board his officers and ate Her captain told hiates to the south-east, and the _Thisbe_ bore up with the _Venus_ in chase, with every stitch of canvas they could carry set

A stern chase is proverbially a long chase, and the French frigates, which had been seen to the eastward, had a considerable start of their pursuers Still, as they had been under moderate canvas, it was hoped that they would set no ht thus be overtaken

A sharp look-out was kept, and the officers were continually going aloft with their glasses, and sweeping the horizon fro the enemy

”I say, Jack, do you think if we co they'll turn round and fight us?” asked Toht it much pleasanter to capture unarht an enemy which sent round shots and bullets on board in return

”No doubt about that, youngster,” answered Ben Twinch, the boatswain's mate, who overheard Tom's remark ”What do you think we come to sea for? If we can take a man-of-war of our own size she's worth half a dozen h, to be sure, some of us may lose the number of our mess; but we all know that, and make no count of it Maybe you'll have your head taken off one of these days, and if you do, you'll only share the fate of many another fine fellow”

”I hope not!” cried To up his hand to his head as if to hold it on, and turning fro to console hiht another day”

If Tom had any fear, it was not the ti as if it were fun, and of death with seehtless Old sailors and old soldiers seldo or for old the loss of life is not a ht talk, as if death were only the end of it Those that cause ill have much to reckon for hereafter But there is no tio on with our story

The midshi+pmen aft were universally anxious to come up with the vessels of which they were in chase It was supposed that they were frigates of the same size as their own and the _Venus_; but should they prove e them

Still, hour after hour went by, and no eneet into port before they could be overtaken At length, just before the sun reached the horizon, his rays fell on the royals and topgallantsails of two shi+ps right ahead As the sun sank lower they were again lost to view, but their appearance revived the hopes of all on board It was not likely that they would alter their course during the night, and it was hoped, therefore, that beforethey would be overtaken It was not likely that the _Thisbe_ and _Venus_, being in the shadoould have been perceived

”The chances are that we shall be upon them in the dark,” said Jack to Tom; ”and we'll surprise theiven the order to prepare for action”

”I would rather fight in daylight,” said Toe to keep ahead till then”

Jack laughed, for he suspected that Toht at all

The watch beloere ordered to turn in as usual, but er for the work to be able to sleep

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

ACTION BETWEEN THE ”THISBE” AND A FRENCH FRIGATE