wbridge,
who liked Jack more and more every day, at his particular request gave
him the command of the second cutter. As soon as he heard of it, Mesty
declared to our hero that he would go with him; but without permission
that was not possible. Jack obtained leave for Mesty to go in lieu of a
marine: there were many men sick of the dysentery, and Mr Sawbridge was
not sorry to take an idler out of the ship instead of a working man,
especially as Mesty was known to be a good hand.

It was ten o'clock at night when the boats quitted the ship; and, as it
was possible that they might not return till late the next day, one
day's biscuit and rum were put on board each, that the crews might not
suffer from exhaustion. The boats pulled in-shore, and then coasted for
three hours, without seeing anything: the night was fine overhead, but
there was no moon. It still continued calm, and the men began to feel
fatigued, when, just as they were within a mile of a low point, they
perceived the convoy over the land, coming down with their sails
squared, before a light breeze.

Mr Sawbridge immediately ordered the boats to lie upon their oars,
awaiting their coming, and arranging for the attack.

The white lateen sails of the gun-boat in advance were now plainly
distinguishable from the rest, which were all huddled together in her
wake. Down she came like a beautiful swan in the water, her sails just
filled with the wind, and running about three knots an hour. Mr
Sawbridge kept her three masts in one, that they might not be perceived,
and winded the boats with their heads the same way, so that they might
dash on board of her with a few strokes of the oars. So favourable was
the course of the gun-boat, that she stood right between the launch on
one bow and the two cutters on the other; and they were not perceived
until they were actually alongside; the resistance was trifling, but
some muskets and pistols had been fired, and the alarm was given. Mr
Sawbridge took possession, with the crew of the launch, and brought the
vessel to the wind, as he perceived that at the alarm all the convoy had
done the same, directing the cutters to board the largest vessels, and
secure as many as they could, while he would do the same with the
launch, as he brought them to: but the other gun boat, which had not yet
been seen, and had been forgotten, now made her appearance, and came
down in a gallant manner to the support of her comrade.

Mr Sawb