.
If he were to haul down his colours he would rehoist them directly
that, in running down to take possession of him, he had got us fairly
within the range of his broadside; and at close quarters he would simply
sink us in ten minutes. No; I am sorry, but I can see nothing for it
but to leave him--unless you have any plan to suggest, Mr Bowen."

"I am really very much afraid that what you say is only too true, sir,"
answered I mournfully. "I suppose we could compel him to haul down his
colours, by pegging away at him with our long gun, as he is fairly in
our power now; but, naturally, he would seize any opportunity that might
present itself to effect a recapture. At the same time it seems a
thousand pities to leave him now that we have given him such a terrible
mauling. Why not keep pounding away at him a little longer? Perhaps we
may yet hit upon some plan by which to secure possession; and only think
of what a feather it would be in our caps if we could but capture a fine
frigate like that, and take her into port!"

"That is very true," answered the skipper, and I could see that my
reference to the credit of such an exploit had touched him in a weak
spot. "Well," he continued, "we will not give up yet awhile. The
frigate is unmanageable at present, and will continue so until they can
get some sort of a jury-mast rigged for'ard; so we will fill on the
schooner, and make a stretch to windward until we can get into a raking
position, then drop down upon mounseer, and see what we can do with him.
But it is a risky business; a lucky shot may cripple us at any moment,
and we should then be done for. However, `nothing venture, nothing
have!' so fill your topsail, Mr Bowen, and we will make a bid for
glory, although that is not our business."

This decision was received with enthusiasm by the men, who at once went
to work with hearty good-will to execute the orders that the skipper now
rapidly issued. We filled upon the schooner, and reached away to the
northward and eastward on an easy bowline, keeping just beyond reach of
the frigate's guns, and making play diligently all the time with our own
long eighteen, aiming for the stump of the foremast, so as to embarrass
the Frenchmen as much as possible in any attempt that they might make to
rig up a jury spar. But the French captain was game to the backbone,
and, helpless as he was to retaliate upon us, omitted no effort to
extricate himself from the difficulties by