CHAPTER XVIII.
I go away on service, am wounded and taken prisoner with O'Brien-- Diamond cut diamond between the O'Briens--Get into comfortable quarters -- My first interview with Celeste.
And now I have to relate an event, which, young as I was at the time, will be found to have seriously affected me in after life.

How little do we know what to-morrow may bring forth! We had regained our station, and for some days had been standing off and on the coast, when one morning at daybreak, we found ourselves about four miles from the town of Cette, and a large convoy of vessels coming round a point.

We made all sail in chase, and they anchored close in shore, under a battery, which we did not discover until it opened fire upon us.

The shot struck the frigate two or three times, for the water was smooth, and the battery nearly level with it.

The captain tacked the ship, and stood out again, until the boats were hoisted out, and all ready to pull on shore and storm the battery.