their stations, and hauled away
lustily at the tackles to run them in. The captain, though on the
quarter-deck, was fully aware of the danger. There was no time to
shorten sail.
"Port the helm!" he shouted; "hard a-port, square away the yards;" and
in a few seconds the ship, put before the wind, rose to an even keel,
the water, in a wave, rushing across the deck, some escaping through the
opposite ports, though a considerable portion made its way below.
The starboard ports were now speedily closed, when once more the ship
hauled up in chase.
The _Foxhound_, sailing well, soon got up again with the _Menager_, and
once more opened her fire, receiving that of the enemy in return.
The port of Ferrol could now be distinguished about six miles off, and
it was thought probable that some Spanish men-of-war lying there might
come out to the assistance of their friends. It was important to make
the chase a prize before that should happen.
For some minutes Captain Waring reserved his fire, having set all the
sail the _Foxhound_ could carry.
"Don't fire a shot till I tell you," he shouted to his men.
The crews of the starboard guns stood ready for the order to discharge
the whole broadside into the enemy. Captain Waring was on the point of
issuing it, the word "Fire" was on his lips, when down came the
Frenchman's flag, and instead of the thunder of their guns the British
seamen uttered three joyful cheers.
The _Foxhound_ was hove-to to windward of the prize, while three of the
boats were lowered and pulled towards her. The third lieutenant of the
_Foxhound_ was sent in command, and the _Menager's_ boats being also
lowered, her officers and crew were transferred as fast as possible on
board their captor.
As the _Menager_ was a large ship, she required a good many people to
man her, thus leaving the _Foxhound_ with a greatly diminished crew.
It took upwards of an hour before the prisoners with their bags and
other personal property were removed to the _Foxhound_. Captain Waring
and Lieutenant Saltwell turned their eyes pretty often towards the
harbour. No ships were seen coming out of it. The English frigate and
her two prizes consequently steered in the direction the other vessels
had gone, the captain hoping to pick up one or more of them during the
following morning. Her diminished crew had enough to do in attending to
their proper duties, and in looking after the prisoners.
The commanders of the
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