ridge threw half his men into the launch, as she carried a heavy
carronade, and sent her to assist the cutters, which had made right for
the gun-boat. A smart firing of round and grape was opened upon the
boats, which continued to advance upon her; but the officer commanding
the gun-boat, finding that he had no support from his consort, and
concluding that she had been captured, hauled his wind again, and stood
out in the offing. Our hero pulled after her, although he could not see
the other boats; but the breeze had freshened, and all pursuit was
useless: he therefore directed his course to the convoy, and, after a
hard pull, contrived to get on board of a one-masted xebeque, of about
fifty tons. Mesty, who had eyes as sharp as a needle, had observed that
when the alarm was given, several of the convoy had not rounded the
point, and he therefore proposed, as this vessel was very light, that
they should make short tacks with her, to weather the point, as if they
were escaping, and by that means be able, particularly if it fell calm
again, to capture some others. Jack thought this advice good. The
convoy who had rounded the point had all stood out to seaward with the
gun-boat, and had now a fresh breeze. To chase them was therefore
useless; and the only chance was to do as Mesty had proposed. He
therefore stood out into the breeze, and, after half an hour, tacked in
shore, and fetched well to windward of the low point; but finding no
vessels, he stood out again. Thus had he made three or four tacks, and
had gained, perhaps, six or seven miles, when he perceived signals of
recall made to leeward, enforced with guns.

"Mr Sawbridge wants us to come back, Mesty."

"Mr Sawbridge mind him own business," replied Mesty, "we nebber take
all dis trubble to ply to windward for noting."

"But, Mesty, we must obey orders."

"Yes, sar, when he have him thumb upon you; but now, must do what tink
most proper. By de powers, he catch me 'fore I go back."

"But we shall lose the ship."

"Find her again, by-and-bye, Massa Easy."

"But they will think that we are lost."

"So much the better, nebba look after us, Massa Easy; I guess we have a
fine cruise anyhow. Morrow we take large vessel--make sail, take more,
den we go to Toulon."

"But I don't know my way to Toulon; I know it lies up this way, and
that's all."

"Dat enough, what you want more? Massa Easy, 'pose you not find fleet,
fleet soon find you. By God, nobo