another minute the sheets were home, the sails hoisted and trimmed, and
the _Aspasia_ darted through the yielding waves, as if the eagerness of
pursuit which quickened the pulses of her crew had been communicated
from them like an electric shock to her own frame, and she were
conscious that her country demanded her best exertions.
"Pipe the hammocks up, Mr Hardy," said Captain M--- to the
first-lieutenant; "when they are stowed we will beat to quarters."
"Ay, ay, sir. Shall we order the fire out in the galley?"
"When the cocoa is ready, not before--there will be plenty of time for
the people to get their breakfast. How does the land bear, Mr Pearce?"
"Saint Island about South East by South, eight or nine miles, sir,"
replied the master.
"If so, I think we shall cut him off; and then `fight he must.'"
Both frigates had hoisted their colours in defiance, and as they were
steering for the same point, they neared each other fast; the French
vessel, with his starboard studding-sails, running for the entrance of
the narrow passage, which he hoped to gain, and the _Aspasia_
close-hauled to intercept him, and at the same time to avoid the
dangerous rocks to leeward, far extending from Saint Island, whose name
they bore.
"Have the men had their breakfasts, Mr Hardy?" said the captain.
"The cocoa was in the tub, sir," answered the first-lieutenant, "ready
for serving out; but they started it all in the lee-scuppers. They
wanted the tub to fill it with shot."
Captain M--- smiled at the enthusiasm of his crew; but the smile was
suddenly checked, as he reflected that probably many of the fine fellows
would never breakfast again.
"If not contrary to your regulations, Captain M---," said McElvina, "as
the crew of the _Susanne_ have not yet been incorporated with your
ship's company, may I request that they may be stationed together, and
that I may be permitted to be with them?"
"Your suggestion is good," replied the captain, "and I am obliged to you
for the offer. They shall assist to work the quarter-deck carronades,
and act as boarders and sail trimmers. Mr Hardy, let the new men be
provided with cutlasses, and fill up any vacancies in the main-deck
quarters, from some of our own men who are at present stationed at the
quarter-deck guns."
The frigates were now within gunshot of each other, and it was
impossible to say which vessel would first attain the desired goal. The
foremost guns of the respectiv
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