There was little
said; my friends, although brave and resolute men, were naturally happy
to see the brig creeping away from us, as fighting could only bring them
danger; and my own feelings were of that mixed quality, that while I
determined to do all I could to bring him to action, it would not have
broken my heart had he escaped. We had scarcely finished dinner,
however, when the rushing of the water past the run of the little
vessel, and the steadiness with which she skimmed along, shewed that the
light air had freshened.
Presently Tailtackle came down. "The breeze has set down, sir; the
strange sail has got it strong to windward, and brings it along with him
cheerily."
"Beat to quarters, then, Tailtackle; all hands stand by to shorten sail.
How is she standing?"
"Right down for us, sir."
I went on deck, and there was the Guineaman about two miles to windward,
evidently cleared for action, with her decks crowded with men, bowling
along steadily under her single--reefed topsails.
I saw all clear. Wagtail and Gelid had followed me on deck, and were
now busy with their black servants inspecting the muskets. But Bang
still remained in the cabin. I went down. He was gobbling his last
plantain, and forking up along with it most respectable slices of
cheese, when I entered.
I had seen before I left the deck that an action was now unavoidable,
and judging from the disparity of force, I had my own doubts as to the
issue.
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