The moments passed slowly yet quickly, and I believed that a full hour had elapsed when Phil finally showed himself with excuses for having stayed away so long. "The _Junior_ is close alongside with her anchors down, and Lieutenant Downes is with Captain Porter, most likely getting orders as to how his ship is to be handled during the engagement." "Can you see the Britisher?" I asked breathlessly. "Not yet; the boat's crew which brought the lieutenant on board says that they should be off the harbor in an hour at the longest." "_They_ should be off the harbor. Is there more than one?" "Ay, two, so it's reported, and Master Hackett says we'll tackle all that come, even if it's a whole squadron." "He is talking foolishly!" I cried petulantly. "It isn't reasonable to suppose our commander will take any more chances than are absolutely necessary." "I can't say what he may do; but our people are wild with excitement, and if the decision was left to them I doubt not but that Master Hackett's statement would sound less improbable. Go on deck and have a look around; but give me a chance when the Britishers heave in sight." I lost no time in acting on his proposition, and as I came into the open air I saw Lieutenant McKnight approaching. "Well, lads, your disagreeable work has come to an end for a time at least, and I can't fancy that you'll be sorry." I looked perplexed, as indeed I was, and my cousin added:-- "The prisoner will be sent on board the _Junior_ for a while." "May I ask why, sir?" "Because it would not be quite the proper treatment to keep him under fire. As soon as Lieutenant Downes comes on deck again some of our men will be sent below to iron the fellow and bring him on deck for transshipment." I did not wait to hear more, or even to take a look around; but ran below with all speed to impart the cheering news to Phil. On hearing what my cousin Stephen had said the lad was almost beside himself with joy; but Benson was overpowered by rage. He tore and beat with his fists at the bars of the cage, now crying out that we should be paid off with interest for treating him in such a manner, and again begging that we ask Captain Porter to allow him to remain on board. There could be but one cause for his frenzy, which was that he had really made friends with some of the marines, and counted on their aiding his escape during the excitement of a battle. We gave no attention to either his threats or entreaties; but it was a wonderful relief when three men, headed by Master Hackett, came below, the latter telling us we were free to go on deck since there was nothing we might do to aid them in their work. I breathed freely for the first time since we had been given charge of the Britisher, when we stepped on the spar-deck and had a look around. Within half a cable's length lay the _Essex Junior_, her boat alongside our ship, and in the offing two British men-of-war standing directly into the harbor.