vessel, which was a lugger, was not
more than four miles from us.

"Well," replied Bramble, "it would be odd if we were to be taken into a
French port after all, wouldn't it? not very pleasant, though."

"We've men enough to beat her off, or two of her, if that's all,"
replied I.

"Yes, Tom, but I doubt the captain, and without example men don't fight
well. However, we'll do our best, and if he flinches we won't."

The captain now came forward as red as a turkey-cock; he said nothing,
looked at the vessel, and then turned as white as a sheet.

"She's more than our match, if she's an enemy," said he.

"I should rather think not, sir," replied Bramble. "All you have to do
is to make your men fight, and nail your colours to the mast."

"That's very true when there's a fair chance of success, but it's
useless sacrificing the men against so very superior a force," replied
the captain.

"But it ain't superior, nor in guns is she your equal, if I know
anything about a vessel. At all events, I suppose you'll have a trial
for it. Won't you beat to quarters, captain?"

"Oh, to be sure. Mr Stubbs, beat to quarters. I think it would not be
a bad thing to fire off our broadsides now, and let them see that we are
well armed."

The men were summoned up to quarters, and very unwillingly did they
obey: some said that they did not come on board to fight, others that
they had agreed to work the passage home, but not to stand to be shot
at; and some were actually going down below again, when Bramble and the
mate spoke to them and persuaded them to remain on deck. Still there
was no willingness shown; and although Bramble told them how many
privateers had been beaten off, and mentioned particularly the Leith
smack having the other day fought with one an hour and a half, and
knocked her all to pieces, they still appeared uneasy and wavering.

In the meantime the privateer was within a mile of us, and had hoisted
French colours.

"We'll keep away and give her the first broadside," cried the captain.

"You'd better hoist your colours first," observed Bramble, quietly.
"Hoist the colours, Mr Stubbs! Port the helm! Look out, my men!
Point the guns to the object! Fire!"

Off went all the guns, not only on the starboard side, in the direction
of the privateer, but all those on the larboard side as well; and this
circumstance probably gave the people on board of the privateer some
idea of the state of confusion we were in