somewhere," observed Mr Horrocks.

The commander agreed with him. The ship was steered so as to cut her
off. On seeing this, the schooner wore, and, setting a large square
sail, ran off before the wind to the westward. Though the stranger
evidently possessed a fast pair of heels, the _Lily_, making all sail,
soon got near enough to send a shot skipping over the water close under
her counter. The schooner, notwithstanding, still held on, when another
shot almost grazed her side. Her object was probably to run on until
she could steer for some port where she could obtain shelter and
protection.

"If she doesn't shorten sail presently, send another shot through her
canvas, Mr Coles," said the commander.

The _Lily_ carried a long gun which could be run out at either of her
bow ports. It was the gunner's favourite. He declared that he could
shoot as true with it, and ten times as far, as he could with a tower
musket. The gun was loaded and pointed through the larboard bow port.

Still the chase held on. It was time to bring her to, for the wind gave
signs of dropping.

"Are you ready there, forward, with the gun?" asked the commander.

"Ay, ay, sir!" was the answer.

"Port the helm! Fire!" he shouted directly afterwards.

The gun was well aimed, for the shot went through the schooner's large
squaresail. The ship was again kept on her course, when the gun was
hauled in and reloaded.

"Stand by to fire again, and this time pitch it into her. All ready
there, forward?"

"Ay, ay, sir!"

Again the helm was ported, but before the commander had time to shout
"Fire!" the schooner was seen to haul down her flag, at the same time to
take in her squaresail and clew up her foretopsail.

The corvette was soon up, when she was found to be a fine little
schooner, such as was employed in the carrying trade between the
islands, or in bringing the produce of the plantations to some central
depot.

"Heave to!" cried the commander; "and if you attempt to escape I'll sink
you, remember that! Tell them in French what I mean," he added, turning
to Rayner.

"Oui, oui; je comprende," answered one of the few white men on board--
probably the master--and, the schooner's helm being put down, she came
up head to wind, with her foretopsail to the mast.

The corvette, which had by this time shot a little way ahead, also
hove-to, and the commander directed Rayner, with a boat's crew, to go on
board the prize and take pos