At about a league’s distance the chasse-mare, the Ca-Ira, was seen lying to under her fore-lug and mizen, as if watching the sequel of events. In the meantime, by immense exertions, the fire on board the Etoile was entirely subdued, the wounded were all got together and placed in her cabin, under the care of a young surgeon belonging to the vessel, and the dead consigned to the resting-place of thousands. The Etoile, totally dismasted, was allowed to drift out from the land, whilst the Vengeance was got clear for action; Lieutenant Thornton being resolved to do all he could to assist the Onyx against her formidable antagonist. Our hero had now but two-and-twenty men left fit for service, but these were eager and enthusiastic. He had two eighteen-pound carronades, and with these he might do good service. Leaving his late opponent perfectly helpless, except that two of her boats were still serviceable, in which her crew might escape if they liked, our hero, with his own wounded made as comfortable as circumstances would permit in the Vengeance, re-fitted his mizen-mast, and spliced as much of his rigging as had suffered damage, and then prepared to sail after the two combatants, which, at that moment, were running parallel with each other. It was very apparent that Captain O’Loughlin, knowing how inferior he was to his opponent, was extremely desirous of avoiding having his sails and rigging cut to pieces by the Virginie’s line of fire, which evidently wished to cripple the Onyx, that she might not, by any chance, escape. Just as the Vengeance was coming rapidly up, the Virginie wore, and came to again on the opposite tack, bringing a fresh broadside to bear upon the bows of the corvette. This manœuvre the Virginie repeated twice, greatly to the annoyance of the Onyx. Captain O’Loughlin was getting impatient at being so foiled, and unable, from inferior sailing—for the French frigate was remarkably fast—to pass ahead or astern of the Virginie, ran right at her to windward. Just then the Vengeance opened fire upon the French frigate, having hoisted English colours, and, with her long eighteen-pound carronades, her fire did considerable damage to the Virginie’s rigging and yards. She was too low in the water to injure her crew; but, using her heavy guns with great judgment, she completely cut away her braces and splintered her fore-yard so much that the frigate was forced to turn her attention to her minor antagonist, whose matchless sailing qualities enabled her, by skilful manœuvring, to avoid the broadside of the enraged crew of the Virginie. The Onyx, by this time, was able, both standing on the larboard tack, to bring her broadside to bear at pistol-shot distance; both vessels, at the same time, keeping up an animated fire of round, grape, and musketry. Owing to the press of sail under which the Onyx had approached, she ranged considerably ahead. The Virginie now bore up, and passing athwart the stern of the Onyx,