At daybreak the _Loire_, seeing that her pursuer was alone, shortened sail. As the _Loire_ was a forty-gun ship the fight was a desperate one, and both vessels were so badly injured that by mutual consent they ceased fire. The _Mermaid_ lost her mizzen-mast, main topmast, and had her shrouds, spars, and boats cut to pieces. She was also making a great deal of water, and was therefore necessarily obliged to discontinue the fight. The _Loire_, however, was out of luck, for a day or two later she fell in with the _Anson_ and _Kangaroo_, and in consequence of her battered condition she had to surrender without resistance. Similarly, the _Immortalité_, while making her way to Brest, fell in with the _Fisgard_, a vessel of just the same size. The _Immortalité’s_ fire was so well aimed that in a short time the _Fisgard_ was quite unmanageable. Repairs, however, were executed with great promptness, and after a chase the action was recommenced. At the end of half an hour the _Fisgard_ had received several shots between wind and water and she had six feet of water in her hold. Nevertheless she continued the fight, and at three o’clock the _Immortalité_, which was in a semi-sinking state, and had lost her captain and first lieutenant, hauled down her colours. Thus seven out of the ten vessels under the command of Commodore Bompart were captured. In the combat with the _Bellone_ Will had been slightly wounded, and as he was most anxious to proceed with his investigation with regard to his relations, he applied for leave on his arrival at Portsmouth. This was at once granted, and at the same time he received his promotion to post rank in consequence of his capture of the _Bellone_. CHAPTER XIX CONCLUSION Will’s first visit, after arriving in London, was to Dulwich. He had visited the house with Mr. Palethorpe when it was in progress of building, and had been favourably impressed with it, but now that it was complete he thought it was one of the prettiest houses that he had ever seen. The great conservatory was full of plants and shrubs, which he recognized as natives of Jamaica, and the garden was brilliant with bright flowers. “I am delighted to see you again, Will,” Mr. Palethorpe said, as he was shown in. “Alice is out at present, but she will be back before long. I must congratulate you on your promotion, which I saw in the _Gazette_ this morning.” “Yes, sir, my good fortune sticks to me, except for this wound, and it is nothing serious and will soon be right again.” “Don’t say good fortune, lad. You have won your way by conduct and courage, and you have a right to be proud of your position. I believe you are the youngest captain in the service, and that without a shadow of private interest to push you on. I am very glad to hear that your wound is so slight.” “You are not looking well, sir,” Will said, after they had chatted for a time.