"We have struck, sir," shouted another voice, "don't murder us don't fire,
sir, for Godsake."
But fire we still did; no sailor has the least compunction at even running
down a privateer. Mercy to privateersmen is unknown. "Give them the
stem," is the word, the curs being regarded by Jack at the best as
highwaymen; so, when he found we still peppered away, and sailing two feet
for our one, the schooner at length, in their desperation, hauled her
wind, and speedily got beyond range of our carronades, having all this
time never fired a shot. Shortly after this we ran--under the Rayo's stern
she was lying to.
"Mr Crowfoot what have you been after? I have a great mind to report you,
sir."
"We could not help it, sir," sung out Crowfoot in a most dolorous tone, in
answer to the captain of the frigate; 'we have been nearly taken, sir, by
a privateer, sir--an immense vessel, sir, that sails, like a witch, sir."
"Keep close in my wake then, sir," rejoined the captain, in a gruff tone,
and immediately the Rayo bore up.
Next morning we were all carrying as much sail as we could crowd. By this
time we had gotten our jury--fore--topmast up, and the Rayo, having kept
astern in the night, was now under topsails, and top--gallant sails, with
the wet canvass at the head of the sails, showing that the reefs had been
freshly shaken out--rolling wedge like on the swell, and rapidly shooting
a--head, to resume her station.
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