ort of customer to the
slow-sailing brig we had just before captured. That she was not afraid
of us was very evident, for, throwing her head sails aback, she awaited
our coming. In a short time we made out the French ensign flying at her
peak, and we concluded that she was a privateer, probably with a large
crew, and well armed. Perigal, on this, called all hands aft. "Now, my
lads," said he, "that craft is an enemy; very likely twice as many men
dance on her decks as on ours; but they are Frenchmen, and I want to
show that we are English, every one, to the backbone, and see how
quickly we can take her. I have nothing more to say, except to tell you
not to throw your shot away, and, if it comes to boarding, when you
strike, strike home." Three hearty cheers was the response to this
address. The old mate was not much given to oratory, but, when he
spoke, he never failed to speak to the purpose. Arms were served out,
and pistols were stuck in belts, and cutlasses buckled on; muskets were
loaded, and arranged in readiness for use; powder and round-shot were
brought on deck, and the men, stripped to the waist, with handkerchiefs
bound round their heads, stood ready for action. They looked as grim
and determined a set as a commanding officer would wish to see; but
still, jokes were bandied about, one from the other, and it did not seem
to occur to any of them that, before another hour of time had slipped
by, in all probability several might be numbered with the dead. Ned
Bambrick was at the helm, with his eye cast ever and anon at the canvas,
and then at the Frenchman, as we glided on rapidly towards him, just as
cool and unconcerned as if he was standing up to speak to a friend. We
had the weather-gauge, and Perigal resolved to keep it. Supposing the
enemy superior to us in strength, it would give us an important and
necessary advantage. To a sailor's eye it was a pretty sight to see the
two schooners approaching. The Espoir was a handsome craft, and so was
her antagonist. We did not at first show our colours. No sooner,
however, did we hoist them than the Frenchman filled his sails and
tacked, in the hope of weathering on us, firing at the same time a gun
of defiance. We suspected that he had not till then known exactly what
to make of us, and possibly had taken us for a friend. However, the
Frenchmen were now in for it, and, like brave men, were resolved to
fight it out. We were now near enough for our lo