Lieutenant Thornton fancied that this large lugger might be his old antagonist, the Vengeance, which belonged to that port; they had heard from the captain of an English brig, some days before, that a French privateer, lugger-rigged, and full of men, had captured a large Sunderland barque, and, after plundering her, had tried to scuttle her; but, seeing an armed brig and two cutters coming up from the westward, had made sail. Luckily, the crew of the barque contrived to stop the leaks, and steered for the nearest port. It was about an hour after sun-rise when the Diamond anchored, and at once Lieutenant Thornton made out the lugger at anchor in the inner road. “Do you think it is the Vengeance?” said the Commander of the Diamond to our hero, who was regarding her with his glass. “I’ll swear to her,” said the Lieutenant; “she has a new main-mast and main lug, and a new mizen mast, and I know we knocked the old one out and damaged her mizen.” “Then I will cut her out,” said Sir Sidney, “to-night. I wish O’Loughlin was here; however I will take the command of the boats myself; you shall lead with the launch, into which I will put an 18-pounder carronade.”[5] It is rather unusual for a commander, on such an occasion, to take the command of the boats; but Sir Sidney had a gallant and daring spirit. The second Lieutenant was therefore left with the master, who was a most excellent pilot, to take charge of the frigate. This was an expedition that delighted our young Lieutenant, and excited all on board. Bill Saunders, who followed our hero like a shadow, and who had shipped on board the Diamond the moment he heard of Lieutenant Thornton’s appointment, was one of the crew of the launch, and in high glee. Bill was a special favourite with officers and men, for he was not only a first-rate seaman, but always steady and sober, as fond of a lark as a boy, but knew when to enjoy one without infringing on his duty. There were five boats in all, and in number about fifty-two men, but, excepting the launch, the boats had only muskets. Sir Sidney himself embarked in a two-oared wherry. It was very little after ten o’clock when the expedition pushed off from the side of the Diamond. Sir Sidney had in the wherry with him a young midshipman named Beecroft, and in the launch with our hero was another midshipman named Westly Wright. The night was extremely calm, but not very dark; they could see the shore of the Seine on both sides and the lights in the town of Havre. Sir Sidney led the boats, however, in the wherry; and having pulled on in regular order till perfectly in sight of the lugger, they all paused till their Commander should fix upon the mode of attack. “It is a hazardous exploit, Mr. Thornton,” said the midshipman sitting beside our hero, “for our Commander to lead in this affair; should anything happen, the Diamond is in a precarious position.”