The _Ocean Pride_ was now more closely hauled, and seemed for a time to bear away from the foe. The movement evidently puzzled the Frenchman. Was John Bull sheering off? Would he presently put round on the other tack and show them a clean pair of heels? Shot after shot came tearing over the water, and when one went clean through the _Pride's_ rigging and was not even responded to, the excitement on board the Frenchman grew frantic. The two vessels were now barely a quarter of a mile from each other, when suddenly round came the _Pride_ till she was almost dead before the wind, and began bearing down upon the _Désespéré_--for that proved to be her name--like a whirlwind, and almost right before the wind. The battle was about to begin in deadly earnest. And none too soon; for at that moment a cry of sail in sight was heard from the maintop-mast cross-trees. "That's her consort," cried Sidney Salt. "Now, men," he shouted, "be steady and cool; I need not say be brave. We may soon be engaged against two, unless we gain the day before that frigate's consort puts in an appearance." A brave British cheer was the only reply to the captain's short but pithy speech. The cheer was feebly answered by the enemy, who from her uncertain movements was evidently puzzled at the apparent change in Sir Sidney Salt's tactics. It seemed to those on board the _Pride_ that contrary orders had been issued; for she first luffed, as if to beat to windward and fight the British frigate beam to beam. Perhaps the courage of her commander suddenly failed him, and he came to the conclusion that he ought to ward off the real tug of war till his consort came up. Anyhow, just as a shot carried away a piece of her jib-boom she attempted to wear and fill, and in doing so missed stays. Now came Sir Sidney's chance, and quick as arrow from bow he took advantage of it. In less time almost than it takes me to describe it, he had cut across the enemy's stern, and the well-aimed broadside that raked the _Désespéré_ from aft to fore, almost completely placed her at the mercy of the British frigate. The wheel was shot away, the rudder a wreck, the mainmast went by the board, and both dead and wounded lay upon the decks. There were still men on board her, however, and brave ones too, to man and fight her guns; and as the _Désespéré_ paid off, seemingly of her own accord, the _Pride_ received her starboard broadside just as she put about to close with her assailant. This broadside was fairly effective: it silenced a gun, killed three men, and wounded five. The _Désespéré_ had got round far enough to save herself from being raked a second time. Broadsides were given and received; but as soon as the _Pride_ had tacked again, it was evident she meant forcing the fighting in the good old English fashion first introduced by bold Hubert de Burgh.