"Thank Heaven for that," replied Captain Delmar. "Jump up, men. Brace round the yards, Mr Hippesley." "The enemy's main yard is cut in two in the slings, sir," reported I, after I had my glass upon her. "Then her last hope is gone," replied Mr Hippesley. "Haul over the starboard jib-sheet forward--let her come to, quartermaster. Larboard guns, my lads." "Now, my men," cried Captain Delmar, "make short work of her." This injunction was obeyed. We had now a good sight of the enemy, and brought our whole broadside to bear upon her stern; and after a quarter of an hour more firing I perceived that her ensign was no longer on the staff, where it had been hoisted after the fall of the mizenmast; neither had she for the last five minutes given us a gun in return. "She has struck, sir, I think," said I to Captain Delmar; "her ensign is down." "Pass the word `Cease firing,' Mr Hippesley; but let the guns be all reloaded in case of accidents. Have we a boat that can swim? Examine the cutters, Mr Keene." I found the cutter on the larboard quarter, with her bottom out: she could not swim, that was clear. The starboard one was in better condition. "The starboard cutter will float, sir; her gunwale is all torn away, but there are rollocks enough to pull." "Let her be cleared away and lowered down, Mr Hippesley. Send for the second lieutenant." "I believe he's not on deck sir," replied the first lieutenant. "Not much hurt, I hope?" "A splinter, I was told, sir." "Where's Mr Weymss, the third lieutenant? Mr Weymss, jump into the boat, and take possession of the prize: take as many men as you can; and, Mr Keene, with Mr Weymss, and as soon as you have gained the necessary information, come back with the boat and two hands." I followed the third lieutenant info the boat, and we pulled on board of our antagonist. A junior officer received us on the deck, and presented his sword. His left arm was bound up, and he was very pale from loss of blood. He spoke pretty good English; and we found that we had captured the Dort, Dutch frigate, of thirty-eight guns, bound to Curacao, with a detachment of troops for the garrison, and a considerable quantity of ammunition and specie on board for the use of the colony. We inquired whether the captain was much hurt, as he did not appear on deck. "He is dead, gentlemen," replied the young officer: "he was my father. Our loss has been very great. I am only a cadet, yet I am commanding officer." A tear rolled down his cheek as he said that the captain was his father, and I felt for him. Shortly afterwards he staggered to a carronade slide, and dropped down on it, and very soon was in a state of insensibility.