The conversation was put an end to by the whole gang being ordered back to the pumps. The carpenters were gradually getting the leaks stopped, and before night the crew were able with less difficulty to keep the water under. Fresh hands were sent on board to attempt getting up jurymasts, in case the _Wolf_ should be compelled to cast off the prize. It was still doubtful whether they would reach the port in safety. An enemy might at any moment appear, and not only retake the prize, but themselves. A single frigate would prove a serious antagonist to the _Wolf_ in her present battered and disabled condition. During the night the breeze increased slightly, and the two frigates made better progress. Lord Reginald had told Voules of Hargrave's impudence, as he called it, and the midshipman had reported it to Mr Jager. "If we have mutinous behaviour among our own crew, we shall have the Frenchmen rising upon us," observed the lieutenant. "You must keep an eye, Voules, on those fellows, and put down that spirit of insubordination." "A flogging would do that lad Hargrave good," observed Voules, "and that old smuggler richly deserves one also." Voules, believing that it would please Lord Reginald, kept a watchful eye on both Dick and Ben, hoping that they would give him the opportunity of reporting them. Twice finding Dick moving slowly, as he considered about his duty, he started him with a rope's end. Several of the other men, knowing that he was no longer under the protection of the boatswain, took the opportunity of bullying him in a variety of ways. Ben did not interfere, his object being evidently to disgust him with the service. Fortunately for Dick, however, his persecutors had no time to annoy him when below, for, fatigued with their work, the moment they turned in they fell asleep. All hands, indeed, were employed from morning until night in clearing the ship of water, getting up jurymasts and repairing the worst damages, so that there might be a chance of keeping her afloat should bad weather come on. Hitherto but little progress had been made. All the sail which the _Wolf_ could carry was set. The prize was at length able to help herself by hoisting a small amount of canvas. A very sharp watch was kept for the appearance of any strange sail. At length, early on the second morning, the look-out from the masthead of the _Wolf_ shouted, "A sail in the south-west!" The first lieutenant went aloft to have a look at her. On his return to the deck, he reported that she was a large ship, standing on a course which would soon bring her up to them. It was difficult, at that distance, to say whether she was a frigate or a line-of-battle ship. "We must steer as we are," observed Captain Moubray. "Whatever she is, we must fight her."