ent up on to the topsail yard to have a better look at her.

She was about ten miles dead to windward of us at this time, and was
steering a course to take her between us and the land. She was
evidently a merchantman of about six hundred tons burden or thereabout,
floating pretty deep in the water, and had all the appearance of being
French. Having completed my observations, I went down and reported to
the skipper, who immediately gave orders to tack ship that we might get
a nearer view of her. This was done, and when we got round it was found
that the stranger bore broad on our weather-bow. We happened to be
under easy sail at the time, and Captain Winter at first decided not to
increase our spread of canvas, hoping by this means to impress our
neighbour with the belief that we were in nowise concerning ourselves
about him. But it would not do; he clearly distrusted us, for we were
no sooner round than he edged away toward the land, making for Abervrach
harbour; and an hour later we had the mortification of seeing the
craft--by this time determinable as a barque--enter the harbour and
anchor under the guns of one of the two batteries that guarded its
entrance. We hoisted French colours, and steered as though we, too,
were about to enter the harbour; but the skipper was altogether too wary
to venture inside, so when by observation we had ascertained all that we
could about the place without exposing the schooner to the fire of
either of the batteries, we tacked and stood off shore again as though
working along the coast. This was about six bells in the afternoon
watch, and as the breeze was light and the flood-tide against us, we
made very little progress, and of that little we wasted as much as we
thought we dared without exciting suspicion; our object being to remain
in the neighbourhood until after dark, and then attempt a cutting-out
expedition.

The harbour was a snug enough place, and excellently adapted for the
purpose of sheltering shipping from the attack of an enemy; the entrance
being guarded by two six-gun batteries--one on each headland--mounting
thirty-two pounders, the combined fire of both batteries effectually
commanding the entrance. These two batteries were apparently all that
we had to fear; but they were quite enough, nay, more than enough, for
they were capable of sinking a much bigger craft than the _Dolphin_ in
less than ten minutes. It was these batteries, therefore, that we had
to rec