Part 34 (1/2)

The frigate and her fresh prize werethe best of their way across the Channel As the latter, a fast sailor, was not ood ith the _Thisbe_ At the sa taken by a French shi+p of superior force, though neither was likely to yield withoutevery effort to escape A constant look-out was kept froot farther and farther froain to fight increased

Several sail were seen in the distance, but it was supposed that they were eitherup or down Channel, in spite of the enemy's cruisers on the watch to pick theate, took good care to keep out of her way

At length the entrance to Plymouth Sound was descried, and the _Thisbe_ and her prize stood up it triu considerable astonishment at her quick return with another capture

Both were soon moored in Ha twenty guns on one deck, was handed over to the prize agents with the full expectation that she would be bought into the service The prisoners were carried on shore, the wounded men were taken to the hospital, and the prize crew returned on board their own shi+p

Bill had been very anxious to accoht watch over hiers could do, but he had had no opportunity of asking leave of Mr Saltwell

He had not been long on board the frigate, and was giving an account of the boarding expedition to Jack and To the decks

”Boy Rayner, the captain has sent for you into the cabin,” said the master-at-arms

”What can you be wanted for!” exclaimed Tom ”Look out for squalls I shouldn't like to be in your shoes”

”No fear of that,” said Jack ”Maybe the first lieutenant has told the captain how Bill saved his life I wish that I had had a chance of doing so of the sort”

Bill, however, did not stop to hear the re that noould be the ti in poor Pierre's favour

The sentry, who knew that he had been sent for, allowed him to pass without question, and he soon found himself in the presence of the captain and Mr Saltwell, ere seated at the table in the main cabin Bill stood, hat in hand, ready to answer any questions which ht be put to him

”William Rayner,” said the captain, ”you have, I understand, behaved remarkably well on several occasions, twice especially, by saving Mr Saltwell's life through your coolness and presence of mind You are also, I find, a fair French scholar, and the first lieutenant reports favourably of your conduct in your former shi+p I wish to reward you

Let me kno I can best do so in a way satisfactory to yourself”

”I only didrewarded,” answered Bill; ”but I have been wishi+ng since we took the prize that so Frenchman as badly hurt on board her by a shot from the battery which fired at us He and his father saved Jack Peek andere blown up in the _Foxhound_, and his family were afterwards very kind to us, and did their ut carried off to prison, and ere hid away in a cave, his sister, at great risk, brought us food He will now be ao, and the poor felloill be very sad and solitary; so I think he would like it, if I could get leave to go and stay with hireat favour, sir, since you ask o and be with him at the hospital, or if that cannot be, if hewhere he can be well looked after until he recovers and is sent back to his own ho as you propose,” replied the captain ”Mr Saltill, however, I have no doubt, try toas the young Frenchman has done deserves to be rewarded; but that is not what I meant; I want you to choose some reward for yourself, and wish you to let me kno I can best serve you”

”Thank you, sir,” answered Bill ”I cannot think just now of anything I require, though I should be very glad if I could get Pierre sent back to his family”

”Your parents, perhaps, will be able to decide better than you can do, then Your father or mother,” observed the captain

”I have neither father nor mother, sir,” answered Bill ”They are both dead”

”Your relatives and friends ht decide,” said the captain

”I have no relatives or friends, nor any one to care for me that I know of,” said Bill, in a quiet voice

”Then Mr Saltwell and I must settle the matter,” said Captain Martin

”Should you like to be placed on the quarter-deck? If you go on as you have begun, and let duty alone guide you on all occasions, you will, if you live, rise in the service and be an honour to it”

Bill alasped for breath as he heard this He knew that the captain was in earnest, and he looked at him, and then at Mr Saltwell, but could not speak

”Come, say what you wish,tone