Lansache. 9th November - calm - P.M. light breezes
from N.N.W. I talked with the captain about the inheritance of my sister-in-law,
Jane Lansache. - He says he knows the principal subject, which will not exceed
£1000 in value. N.B. He is a cousin to a family of Petersons, which was the name
of the husband of my sister-in-law; so there is room to hope it may be worth
more than he reports. 10th November, 10 A.M. - May God pardon all our sins! - An
English frigate, bearing the Parliament flag, has appeared in the offing, and
gives chase. - 11 A.M. She nears us every moment, and the captain of our vessel
prepares to clear for action. - May God again have mercy upon us!«
                                    * * * *
    »Here,« said Maxwell, »the journal with which I have opened the narration
ends somewhat abruptly.«
    »I am glad of it,« said Lady Ratcliff.
    »But, Mr. Maxwell,« said young Frank, Sir Henry's grandchild, »shall we not
hear how the battle ended?«
    I do not know, cousin, whether I have not formerly made you acquainted with
the abilities of Frank Ratcliff. There is not a battle fought between the troops
of the Prince and of the Government, during the years 1745-6, of which he is not
able to give an account. It is true, I have taken particular pains to fix the
events of this important period upon his memory by frequent repetition.
    »No, my dear,« said Maxwell, in answer to young Frank Ratcliff - »No, my
dear, I cannot tell you the exact particulars of the engagement, but its
consequences appear from the following letter, despatched by Garbonete Von
Eulen, daughter of our journalist, to a relation in England, from whom she
implored assistance. After some general account of the purpose of the voyage,
and of the engagement, her narrative proceeds thus: -
    The noise of the cannon had hardly ceased, before the sounds of a language
to me but half known, and the confusion on board our vessel, informed me that
the captors had boarded us, and taken possession of our vessel. I went on deck,
where the first spectacle that met my eyes was a young man, mate of our vessel,
who, though disfigured and covered with blood, was loaded with irons, and whom
they were forcing over the side of the vessel into