cessantly. The rest of the crew also did what execution they were able through the gratings, and at last cleared the ship of the enemy. Another detachment was ordered to board, but with the same success; however, it was at last thought adviseable with hatchets and other proper instruments to lay open her decks, and by that means make the crew prisoners of war. This was, though with extreme difficulty, executed, and in spite of their firing, which killed several of the assailants, the frigate's crew were at last constrained to surrender. The officers were still possessed of the forecastle, and still kept up as brisk a fire as before. They were now to be forced in like manner, which was not effected without loss. Thus were all the ship's company made prisoners except the captain. He took refuge in the cabin, where he fired upon us with the utmost obstinacy, swearing that he would spill the last drop of blood, before he would see the inside of a French prison. The rest of the English officers, who had by this time been conducted on board us, described their captain as a man perfectly fool-hardy, as one determined to blow the frigate into the air rather than strike; and painted his resolution in such striking colours, that even the conquerors trembled. Every person now expected to see the frigate blown up, while they themselves must share the danger of so terrible a neighbourhood. The way to the powder-room led through the cabin, and that the English captain was still possessed of; and were the frigate blown up, it must have been attended with the most fatal effects to the six galleys. In this extremity, it was concluded to summon the captain in the most gentle terms, and to promise him the kindest treatment upon surrendering. He only answered all this by firing as fast as he could.

At length the last remedy was to be put in execution, to take him dead or alive. For this purpose, a serjeant and twelve grenadiers got orders, with bayonets fixed, to break open his door, and kill him if he refused to surrender. The serjeant at the head of his detachment would have soon burst the door, but the captain, who expected all this, with his loaded pistol shot him through the head. The grenadiers, apprehensive of the same fate, quickly betook themselves to flight; nor was it in the power of any of the officers to prevail on them once more to renew the engagement, though seemingly so unequal. They alledged in their vindication, that as they could advance into the room but one abreast, the captain would kill them all one after the other. Again recourse was had to gentle methods, and entreaty was used, which had at last the desired success.

All this seeming resolution, this conduct, which. appeared rather the effect of insensibility than prudence, was artfully assumed, only to prolong the engagement till the merchant fleet were in safety, which, when the English captain perceived front his cabin window, he then began to listen to reason; yet still, to prolong the time as much as lay in his power, he pretended another obstacle to his surrendering; he alledged it as beneath him to deliver up his sword to any but the commodore, and desired that he would come down and receive it; adding, that brave men should only be the prisoners of each other. Accordingly a truce was agreed on till his demand should be reported to the commodore, who sent word back by his second lieutenant, that a commander should never quit his post or his ship. At last the captain gave up his sword without farther parley, like a real Englishman, despising ceremony when ceremony could be no longer useful. He

was now brought before our commodore, who could not help testifying some surprise at the minute figure which had thus made such a mighty uproar.

He was hump-backed, pale-faced, and as much deformed in person as beautiful in mind. Our commodore complimented him on his bravery; adding, that his present captivity was but the fortune of war; the loss of his ship the safety of the fleet intrusted to his care, and that he should have no reason to regret his being a prisoner; since, by the treatment he should receive, his bondage would be merely nominal. "I feel no regret," replied the little captain, "my duty called me to defend my charge, though at the loss of my vessel. In what light my services may be represented to my country, I know nor care not. I might, perhaps, have had more honour among them by saving her majesty's ship by flight, and I should certainly have more profit, as I should still be continued in command; but this consolation remains, that I have served England faithfully, nor can I feel any private loss by an action which enriches the public, and serves to make my country more happy. Your kind treatment of me may not perhaps be without its reward; though I should never have the opportunity, you will find some of my countrymen who have gratitude; and that fortune which now puts me into your power, may one day put you into theirs."

The noble boldness with which he expressed himself charmed the commodore; he returned him his sword, adding, very politely, "Take, sir, a weapon no man deserves better to wear; forget that you are my prisoner; but remember I expect you for my friend." There was soon, however, some reason to repent of this indulgence, as the consequences of giving him back his sword had like to have been fatal. The captain being introduced Vol. 14, No. 54.

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into the cabin of the galley, beheld there Smith the traitor, and instantly knew him. England had set a price upon this wretch's head of 1000 pounds, so that he regarded every thing that was English with the utmost detestation. These two could not long behold each other, without feeling those emotions which a contrast between the greatest virtue and vice occasions; and the little captain was all on fire to take vengeance for his country on its betrayer. "Perfidious man!" said he, drawing his sword, "since the hand of justice cannot give you the death you merit, take it from mine.". And at the same time he run against him, resolved to plunge his sword into his breast; fortunately for both, the commodore was near enough to prevent the rashness of his conduct, by taking the assailant in his arms, and stopped the meditated blow, to the great regret of the captain, who vowed he had been better pleased with such an action than to have taken the six galleys. Captain Smith represented it to the commodore as highly unfit that the prisoner should be in the same galley with him, and begged to remove him to another, which the commodore refused; alledging, that as he was his prisoner, he must remain where he was, but that captain Smith had his choice of any of the other five galleys for his residence.

Beauties of the Drama.

THE DUNGEON SCENE.

[FROM ADELMORN, THE OUTLAW. ]

Scene.-A dungeon. Adelmorn is discovered in okains. Adelmorn. My fate then is decreed! the thunderbolt has fallen, so long brandished-it has fallen and crushed me!-I have no more to hope, no

more to fear!-and methinks again my soul feels resigned and tranquil. Oh! is this calm but the calm of despair? This seeming resignation of the mind, this indifference with which I look on lifeis it no more than the body's stupor, foreboding, and forerunning dissolution? No-not so! Let me not wrong thee, best of all blessings, last of all comforts, my uncorrupted heart! My eye need not sink beneath my judge's; my breast need not shrink from the searcher's probe. One tear of mercy can cleanse my hand from blood, and the blessings of mourners, whose wounds I healed, shall drown the voice of my accuser. E'en thou, sad spirit! whose bleeding form I saw in every object, whose dying shriek I heard in every breeze, when thy murderer meets thee yonder, e'en thou shalt reach him the hand of pardon! Then shrink not, my soul, from the sun-beams of to-morrow: let me once more embrace my love, once more bid. Heaven bless her days, who formed the only wealth of mine: then will I meet thee, death, without one fear then bid thee, without one sigh, vain world, farewell! for ever!

Enter MAURICE, with a lamp, conducting

INNOGEN.

Maurice. This way, lady. When thus I disobey my lord, trust me, I risque much.

Innogen. Friend, I feel it, and am most grateful. Maurice. Your stay may not be long.

Innogen. It shall not: now farewell! my blessings follow you, [Exit Maurice.

Adelmorn. (Starting.) Hark! hark! that voice -Innogen here! My love!

Innogen. (Falling on his neck.) My lost one! Oh, Adelmorn! to meet you thus!

Adelmorn. To meet any how is transport.