, under the present circumstances,
could not be avoided.

The stranger, now clearly visible from the deck, was after a time seen
to haul to the wind. She was apparently not much smaller than the
_Champion_, and probably did not carry fewer guns; it was hoped,
therefore, that she would before nightfall heave to and await a contest.

"She is a fast ship whatever she is," observed Mr Tarwig; "but as to
her wish to fight us, or whether she is French or Spanish, I have great
doubts."

"She has hoisted Spanish colours, at all events," said Mr Foley, who
had been looking at her through the telescope, "but she does not shorten
sail."

"She is probably making for Cumberland harbour," said the master, who
had been looking at the chart, "and if she gets in there it may be a
hard matter to persuade her to come out again, unless we send in the
boats and cut her out."

For a considerable time neither of the ships altered their course. The
stranger, however, going free, was making faster way through the water
than the _Champion_, which was close-hauled, and it seemed very likely,
should the wind shift more to the eastward, that the former vessel would
pass her. The sun was already approaching the horizon, and although the
crescent moon could be seen faintly in the sky, it would not long afford
its light. The stranger, if inclined to escape, might do so during the
hours of darkness. The two ships, however, were now scarcely three
miles apart, and rapidly approaching each other. The _Champion_ was
prepared for action, the crew were at their quarters, and the guns run
out. The sea was sufficiently smooth to allow even the lee guns to be
fought without difficulty. Mr Billhook had taken the telescope and was
narrowly examining the stranger.

"Shiver my timbers, but I believe she is the same buccaneering craft we
found alongside the _Ouzel Galley_, when we chased her till she had
well-nigh run on those rascally Bahama reefs," he exclaimed, still
keeping his eye at the glass. "Yes, there is a square patch on her
mizen-topsail to repair a hole which I doubt not an enemy's shot had
made, as she was showing her heels in the fashion the picaroons always
do, unless they hope to make a prize of some unwary merchantman."

The commander, on hearing this, took the telescope.

"Yes," he said. "If not the same vessel, she is very like her; and
should she be so, she will not wait to allow us an opportunity of taking
her if she can he