Yes, the Proserpine, thirty-six, Captain Cuffe, Heaven bless her!" "Bah!--this vessel has forty-four guns--now I can see to count them; I make twenty-two of a side." "Aye, that's just her measure--a thirty-six on the list and by rate, and forty-four by count; twenty-six long eighteens below; twelve thirty-twos, carronades, on her quarter-deck; and four more carronades, with two barkers, for'ard.

She'd just extinguish your Jack-o'-Lantern, Monsieur Rule, at one broadside; for what are ten twelve-pound carronades, and seventy men, to such a frigate ?" "I am not madman enough, Etooell, to dream of fighting a frigate, or even a heavy sloop-of-war, with the force you have just mentioned; but I have followed the sea too long to be alarmed before I am certain oL my danger.

La Railleuse is just such a ship as that." "Hearken to reason, Monsieur Rule," answered Ithuel earnestly; "La Railleuse, nor no other French frigate, would show her colors to an enemy's port; for it would be uselessly telling her errand.

Now, an English ship might show a French ensign, for _she_ always has it in her power to change it; and then _she_ might be benefited by the cheat.

The Proserpine is French built, and has French legs, too, boots or no boots"-- here Ithuel laughed a little, involuntarily, but his face instantly became serious again--"and I have heard she was a sister vessel of the other.