about, just far enough out not to be seen from the
shore, in the best spot for cutting him off, when it came on to blow
very hard from the north-west. It had blown long enough to kick up a
heavy sea, when, just as it had gone three bells, in the middle watch,
we caught sight of a cutter standing in for the shore, and going along
at a tremendous rate, not the eighth of a mile to the eastward of us.
We were on the larboard tack; but we were instantly about, and in chase
of her. We could just make her out through the darkness; but I do not
think many eyes could have seen her, but those long accustomed to such
work as ours. It was some time before she perceived us; for, from the
way we were standing, we were end on to her. As soon, however, as she
saw us, she kept away, and off she went like a shot before the wind. We
packed everything on the cutter she could carry, and rather more canvas,
as you may suppose, than under ordinary circumstances I should like to
set; but the stranger, at all events, seemed resolved not to be outdone;
and though by this time it was blowing half a gale of wind, had not only
his whole mainsail, but his square-sail and gaff-topsail all set. This
circumstance made me pretty certain that Myers was on board, for he knew
well that a halter would be his lot if he was caught. I think he would
have done better by keeping on a wind, for before the wind her larger
size gave the _Serpent_ a decided advantage over him. After an hour's
chase, if we had not overhauled him, he certainly had not increased his
distance from us; and we had great hopes, should the wind increase, or
the sea get up any more, that we should at last catch him. It was a
trial of the strength of our sticks, and the goodness of our rigging. I
had every confidence in ours; but I also knew that the smuggler would
not fail to have got a tough stick for a mast, and sound rigging also.
Another half-hour passed, and Hanks agreed with me that we were
certainly gaining on the chase. To give us a chance of winging him, we
now ran a gun forward; but with the heavy sea there was, and the way
both vessels were pitching into it, there was very little probability
that we should do so. We, however, fired several times; but with no
effect. Only think! the fellow had the audacity to run out a couple of
guns, and to return the fire. To be sure, it was his only chance of
escaping; for if he could manage to knock away any of our spars, he
would,