of that," I heard old Grampus mutter as he passed me. "I
saw her all a-taunto, running away from us in fine style when we were
first caught. She's given us the go-by, or I'm no seaman."

All night we ran on, looking out for the chase, and when daylight broke
and a hundred eager eyes were glancing round the horizon she was nowhere
to be seen. To pursue her farther would have been vain, besides leading
us too far from our cruising-ground and risking the main object we had
in view.

Returning to our station on the 28th we took two vessels laden with
wood, which we gave up as before. On the 4th of July we saw a brig in a
calm, about four miles from us. The signal was made for all the boats
of the squadron, manned and armed, to be ready to attack her.
Lieutenant Moss, of the Juno, had the command of the expedition. Making
sure of an easy victory, away we pulled towards the stranger over the
smooth shining ocean.

The brig we saw, as we drew near, was heavily armed; her colours were
flying, and she seemed prepared not to strike without a blow. As soon
as we drew within range of her guns she opened her fire on us. This, of
course, only expedited our movements, and we dashed on towards her as
fast as the oars could send the boats through the water. The brig's
crew founded their hopes of escape probably on the chance of a breeze
springing up, of which there were already some signs, while our aim was
to get on board before the wind filled her sails. The rebels fought
with desperation, and never relaxed their fire till we were alongside.
Two or three of our men had been struck. One lost the side of his face
by a round-shot which shaved him more cleanly than he would have wished,
and spoilt his beauty for life. With loud shouts and cries our men
leaped on board, and in two minutes the brig was ours. She mounted ten
carriage guns and twelve swivels, was laden with rum and sugar, and was
bound for Boston.

On the 5th we ran a brig on shore after a chase of some hours. From her
size and pertinacity in endeavouring to escape, we from the first
suspected that her cargo was of value. No sooner had she struck than
the squadron hove-to and the boats were ordered to pull in to re-take
her. I on this occasion remained on board. We were expecting to see
the boats haul off the vessel, when, just as they drew near, a large
body of troops were perceived hurrying down to the shore. The soldiers
at once began firing away at