"I try to do so, sir," said Gerald, "and I should have thought no more about him if I hadn't heard remarks which aroused my former suspicions." "I believe you are right, after all, Tracy," said Mr Foley; "we'll keep an eye on the man, and not place him in a position where he can do any harm." This conversation took place when the convoy was about four or five days' sail from the West Indies. "The commodore is signalling, sir," cried young Lord Mountstephen, who was acting as signal midshipman, "`A sail to the southward!--the _Champion_ to chase and ascertain her character.'" "Make the answering signal," said Mr Foley. "Tracy, go and report to the captain." The wind was at this time about south-east. The _Thisbe_ was in her usual station to windward of the fleet and abeam of the leading vessel, and the fleet with flowing sheets was steering to the westward. The _Champion_, hauling her wind, stood out from among them. "The commodore suspects the stranger to be an enemy," observed the commander to Mr Foley. A look-out with sharp eyes was sent aloft, to report as soon as the sail indicated by the frigate should appear in sight. She was before long seen, and was evidently a large ship standing to the north-west, a course which would bring her up to the convoy. "We must have a nearer look at her," said the commander; "she is more probably a friend than an enemy." "Two other sail," cried the look-out from aloft, "following in the wake of the first." Still the corvette, according to orders, stood on. As she approached the stranger, the commander changed his opinion. "They are Frenchmen," he observed to his first lieutenant; "we'll keep away and run back to the commodore. If, as I suspect, all three are frigates, or perhaps larger craft, we shall have to bring them to action and allow the convoy to escape." The announcement caused considerable excitement on board. "We shall probably be in action before the day is out," cried Gerald, as he went into the midshipmen's berth, "and have pretty hot work, too, if the Frenchmen show any pluck." "The best news I've heard for many a day," said old Crowhurst. "Notwithstanding all I've done for my country, it's the only chance I have of getting promoted." "I don't see how that's to be," said Gerald; "mates are not often mentioned in despatches." "But if a happy shot were to knock either of our superiors on the head, I should obtain the rank I merit," replied the mate. "For that matter, I've seen service enough and done deeds sufficient to deserve being made a commander or post-captain." "Long life to you, Captain Crowhurst!" exclaimed Gerald. "If I was a Lord of the Admiralty I'd promote you to-day and superannuate you to-morrow. I don't suppose the service would be greatly the loser." "That youngster requires a cobbing," said Beater, who perceived what the other did not, that Gerald was laughing at him; and he pulled out his cob, prepared to inflict condign punishment.