h trust in them," said the mate. "I know what sort of
people we have here. Had we only ten good men I wouldn't care for a
privateer, but I'm afraid that we have not many we can trust to.
However, we'll do our best, and we can do no more. I'll go down and tell
the captain."

"It is a Frenchman," replied I, "and no mistake--every rope and every
sail on her are French;" for the 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 colors 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 colors.

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

"You'd better hoist your colors first," observed Bramble