He then hailed the prize, directing Lieutenant Jager to get all the guns he could ready for use, so that he might be able to take a part in the fight, should it be necessary. He was, however, to do his best to escape, while the _Wolf_ engaged the stranger. The French officers on deck eagerly watched the ship coming up. As her topsails rose above the horizon, various opinions were expressed about her. Some thought that she might be the leading ship of a French squadron; others that she was a British man-of-war. As, however, she drew nearer, no other vessels were seen astern of her. One after the other the officers went aloft, to try and discover her character. She was soon pronounced to be a seventy-four, at least. The Frenchmen became highly elated, having fully persuaded themselves that she was a French line-of-battle ship. "Never mind, my friend," said one of them, "you have treated us well; we hope soon to have an opportunity of showing our gratitude." "Much obliged to you," answered the first lieutenant, to whom the observation was made. "It is not settled beyond doubt that yonder ship belongs to your nation. There is something about the cut of her canvas which tells me that she is an English line-of-battle ship. If she's an enemy, we intend to fight her, and, if we can, enable our prize to escape." "Morbleu!" exclaimed the Frenchman. "One might suppose that you rarely capture a prize, you seem so anxious to retain the one you have now got." On board the prize, all the preparations which could possibly be made were carried out. Such guns as were uninjured were loaded, fresh tackles rove. Her hard-worked crew recovered their spirits, and even Ben, for a time, ceased to growl. Still, considering the battered state of both ships, there seemed every probability, should the stranger turn out to be an enemy, that they must fall into her hands; and that a French prison would be their destination, instead of the triumphant reception they expected to meet at home, and the prize-money with which they hoped to fill their pockets. "It would be a great bore if that fellow does turn out to be a Frenchman," observed Voules to Lord Reginald. "I was in hopes that you would be able to get leave to pay another visit to Elverston Hall. It would be a great pleasure to accompany you." "Of course, my dear fellow, I shall be delighted, as my father gives me leave to bring any friends I like; though it appeared to me that you got rather tired at last, or you wouldn't have taken to dangling after the ladies in the curious fashion you did." "Tired! Oh dear no! their delightful society was sufficient attraction. I was never happier in my life."