But, though thus encouraged, the men could not hold out.
The ship was so badly injured that it rolled about unmanageable, and when the captain died, as he did a few minutes later, the men surrendered, and the Caroline claimed the Monarch as a prize.
The ship was too much disabled to take into port, so, under the direction of Scarron, the guns were removed to the Caroline, together with a good portion of the ammunition.
When this was accomplished and the prisoners transferred, the order was given to blow up the war ship.
A terrific report which caused the waters to be troubled as though by an earthquake, and all was over with his majesty's sloop-of-war Monarch.
"Now to port!" shouted Tempest, obeying the signal of the Lively Bee, and the men joyously spread the sails and cheered as they filled out with the wind, for they knew they were bound for home.
[CHAPTER XXI.]
HOMEWARD BOUND.