were therefore on the look-out for a pilot vessel, when a lugger was
discovered on the lee bow, and we were on the point of bearing down to
her, when we made out first a ship or two, then several sail, and
lastly, a whole fleet, which we guessed must be the North Sea Fleet
standing for the Nore. We were steering for them, to give the admiral
notice of what had occurred, when the red flag was discovered flying on
board them also. They had, as it appeared, left their station in a
state of mutiny, having placed the admiral and all the officers under
arrest. To avoid them altogether was impossible, and before long a
frigate bore down to us. Should our real character be discovered, we
must be captured by an overwhelming force. Still Sir Harry remained
calm and self-possessed as ever. As the frigate approached, he ordered
all the officers below, and giving the speaking-trumpet to Stanley, the
quartermaster, told him to reply as he might direct. The frigate hailed
and inquired what we were about. "Looking out to stop ships with
provisions, that we may supply the fleet," was the answer. The people
of the frigate, satisfied with this reply, proceeded to rejoin the
fleet, while we, glad to escape further questioning, made sail in chase
of the lugger. She was a fast craft, and led us a chase of four hours
before we captured her. She proved to be the _Castor and Pollux_
privateer of sixteen guns. Having taken out the prisoners, and put a
prize crew on board, we were proceeding to Portsmouth, when the lugger,
being to windward, spoke a brig, which had left that place the day
before, and from her gained the information that the mutiny had again
broken out at Spithead. Under these circumstances, Sir Harry thought it
prudent to anchor under Dungeness until he could communicate with the
Admiralty. This we did; but it was a time of great anxiety, for the
mutineers might consider it important to capture us, to hold Sir Harry
and his officers as hostages, and to wreak their vengeance on our men.
We got springs on the cable, and the ship ready for action. During the
middle watch a ship was made out bearing down towards us; she was high
out of the water, and was pronounced by many to be a line-of-battle
ship. Sir Harry was on deck in an instant--the private signal was
made--would it be answered? Yes; but there was no security in this, as,
should the ship's company have mutinied, they would naturally have
possessed themselves o