es of water. She
was extraordinarily fast with the wind over her quarter, running away
from the _Dolphin_ easily. But I suspected that in a thrash to
windward, in anything of a breeze, the schooner would prove to be quite
a match for her, with, perhaps, a trifle to spare. She mounted fourteen
twelve-pounders, and her magazine was crammed with ammunition, it having
been the intention of her captain to try his luck, like ourselves, in
the West Indian waters.

It was about six bells in the afternoon watch when we filled away in
pursuit of the ship, and the sun was within half an hour of his setting
when we overtook and brought her to, the _Dolphin_ being at that time
some two miles astern of us. I knew that there were thirty Frenchmen on
board her, but did not anticipate any resistance from them, since it
would be perfectly clear to them that anything of the kind, although it
might temporarily prevent our taking possession, would be utterly
useless in the end, and only result in loss of life. I therefore
lowered a boat, and, taking with me ten men armed to the teeth,
proceeded on board and secured undisputed possession of the ship. My
first act was to release the crew of the prize, after which the disarmed
Frenchmen were transferred to the brigantine, and confined below along
with their comrades, and while this was still in process of performance
the _Dolphin_ joined company, and Captain Winter came on board. He
fully approved of all that had been done, and directed me to remain on
board in charge, shifting himself over into the brigantine and placing
the schooner under the temporary command of Comben. By the time that
all these arrangements had been completed the night had fallen, dinner
was about to be served in the cuddy, and at the earnest invitation of
the captain of the ship, the skipper accepted a seat at the table.
Meanwhile, all three of the craft had been hauled to the wind, on the
larboard tack, and were heading to the eastward, the ship under
everything that her jury-rig would permit to be set, and the schooner
and brigantine under double-reefed topsails.

We now had an opportunity to learn some few particulars relating to our
prize, and the circumstances of her capture by the French privateer, the
latter being somewhat remarkable. The ship, it appeared, was named the
_Manilla_, and was homeward-bound with a rich cargo of spices and other
rare commodities, including several tons of ivory which she had