"Pipe the hammocks up, Mr Hardy," said Captain M--- to the first-lieutenant; "when they are stowed we will beat to quarters." "Ay, ay, sir. Shall we order the fire out in the galley?" "When the cocoa is ready, not before--there will be plenty of time for the people to get their breakfast. How does the land bear, Mr Pearce?" "Saint Island about South East by South, eight or nine miles, sir," replied the master. "If so, I think we shall cut him off; and then `fight he must.'" Both frigates had hoisted their colours in defiance, and as they were steering for the same point, they neared each other fast; the French vessel, with his starboard studding-sails, running for the entrance of the narrow passage, which he hoped to gain, and the _Aspasia_ close-hauled to intercept him, and at the same time to avoid the dangerous rocks to leeward, far extending from Saint Island, whose name they bore. "Have the men had their breakfasts, Mr Hardy?" said the captain. "The cocoa was in the tub, sir," answered the first-lieutenant, "ready for serving out; but they started it all in the lee-scuppers. They wanted the tub to fill it with shot." Captain M--- smiled at the enthusiasm of his crew; but the smile was suddenly checked, as he reflected that probably many of the fine fellows would never breakfast again. "If not contrary to your regulations, Captain M---," said McElvina, "as the crew of the _Susanne_ have not yet been incorporated with your ship's company, may I request that they may be stationed together, and that I may be permitted to be with them?" "Your suggestion is good," replied the captain, "and I am obliged to you for the offer. They shall assist to work the quarter-deck carronades, and act as boarders and sail trimmers. Mr Hardy, let the new men be provided with cutlasses, and fill up any vacancies in the main-deck quarters, from some of our own men who are at present stationed at the quarter-deck guns." The frigates were now within gunshot of each other, and it was impossible to say which vessel would first attain the desired goal. The foremost guns of the respective ships which had been trained forward were reported to bear upon the enemy, and both commanders were aware that "knocking away a stick"--i.e., the shots striking the masts or yards of her opponent, so as to occasion them to fall--would decide the point. At the very time that Captain M--- was giving directions to fire the main-deck guns as they would bear, the first shot from his antagonist whizzed over his head, and the action commenced, each party attempting to cripple his opponent by firing high at his masts and rigging. The frigates continued to engage, until they had closed-to within half a mile of each other, when the main-topmast of the Frenchman fell over the side.