"I thought our craft was an English ship, and we British tars, and now I see we be turned into mounseers," said one, cocking his eye at the tricoloured flag. "If we be, my boy, we will show yonder ship that the mounseers can fight their guns as well as British tars for once in a way," remarked another who stood near him. "Never you fear, mate, that gay-coloured flag will come down fast enough before we open fire." The last speaker was right--the moment to which all were looking forward was approaching. Every man was at his station. Not a word was now spoken except by the master as he issued his orders from the yardarm. The stranger gave no signs that she was aware of the approach of an enemy. "We will run alongside and carry her by boarding; it will save our anchoring, and we shall not injure her spars--an important object, as I hope we may have to carry her off to sea," observed the captain to his first lieutenant. The _Thisbe_ was now within 200 yards of the stranger's bows, when the master gave notice that there was a shoal ahead extending on either hand, while on shore a battery was seen commanding the passage, and several smaller vessels at anchor under it. Headland instantly gave the order to anchor. The crew swarmed aloft to hand sails, the French colours was hauled down, and the English run up at the peak. At the same moment the stranger opened a hot fire from the whole of her broadside. "Fire," cried Captain Headland, and the _Thisbe_ returned the warm salute she had received. The battery on shore and the small vessels at the same time began peppering away at her. Broadsides were exchanged with great rapidity between the combatants. The firing calming the light wind which had been blowing, the two ships were soon shrouded in a canopy of smoke. The English crew redoubled their efforts. Several had been struck, yet two only lay dead on her deck. The Frenchman's fire, however, at length began to slacken, and in little more than a quarter of an hour down came the tricoloured flag, loud cheers bursting from the throats of the _Thisbe's_ crew. A boat was instantly sent under the command of the second lieutenant to take possession of the prize, but as he was pulling alongside the Frenchmen were seen lowering their boats, in which a considerable number made their escape to the shore. The battery continued firing, and Captain Headland directed Harry to land with a boat's crew and silence it. Jacob accompanied him. The smaller vessels meantime cut their cables, some running on shore, and others endeavouring to make their escape through the intricate passages, where the English ship could not follow them. Harry, ordering his men to give way, pulled rapidly for the beach, exposed to a hot fire of musketry in addition to that from the heavy guns in the battery. Forming his men, he led the way up the steep bank.