t pass
us by, now weeping in an ecstasy of joy over a possible deliverance. But
it grew steadily larger, and when about three miles on our port bow I
saw that the ship was a brigantine. Though she had long been in sight
from our deck, 'twas not until now that she was made out by a man on the
forecastle, who set up a cry that brought about him all who could reel
thither, Griggs staggering out of his cabin and to the nettings. The
sight sobered him somewhat, for he immediately shouted orders to cast
loose the guns, himself tearing the breeching from the nine-pounder next
him and taking out the tompion. About half the crew were in a liquorish
stupor from which the trump itself could scarce have aroused them;
the rest responded with savage oaths, swore that they would boil their
suppers in the blood of the brigantine's men and give their corpses to
the sea. They fell to work on the port battery in so ludicrous a manner
that I was fain to laugh despite the gravity of the situation. But when
they came to rig the powderhoist and a couple of them descended into
the magazine with pipes lighted, I was in imminent expectation of being
blown as high as a kite.

So absorbed had I been in these preparations that I neglected to watch
the brigantine, which I discovered to be standing on and off in a very
undecided manner, as though hesitating to attack. My spirits fell again
at this, for with all my inexperience I knew her to be a better sailer
than the Black Moll. Her master, as Griggs remarked, "was no d--d
slouching lubber, and knew a yardarm from a rattan cane."

Finally, about six bells of the watch, the stranger wore ship and bore
down across our bows, hoisting English colours, at sight of which I
could scarce forbear a cheer. At this instant, Captain Griggs woke to
the fact that his helm was still lashed, and bestowing a hearty kick on
his prostrate quartermaster stuck fast to the pitchy seams of the deck,
took the wheel himself, and easing off before the wind to bring the
vessels broadside to broadside, commanded that the guns be shooed to
the muzzle, an order that was barely executed before the brigantine came
within close range. Aboard her was all order and readiness; the men at
her guns fuse in hand, an erect and pompous figure of a man, in a cocked
hat, on the break of her poop. He raised his hand, two puffs of white
smoke darted out, and I heard first the shrieking of shot, the broadside
came crashing round us, one tearin