"We have been surprised by a privateer schooner, sir; the lieutenant of
her, and several men, are now in the cabin."
"Where are the rest of the crew?"
"All secured in the forecastle, except the second-mate and boatswain,
the men who hailed you just now; the last was knocked on the head, and
the former was stabbed and thrown overboard."
We immediately released the men, eighteen in number, and armed them
with boarding-pikes. "What vessel is that astern of us?" said Treenail
to the mate. Before he could answer, a shot from the brig fired at the
privateer showed she was broad awake. Next moment Captain Deadeye
hailed. "Have you mastered the prize crew, Mr. Treenail?" "Ay, ay,
sir." "Then bear up on your course, and keep two lights hoisted at
your mizzen-peak during the night, and blue Peter at the maintopsail
yardarm when the day breaks: I shall haul my wind after the suspicious
sail in your wake."
Another shot, and another, from the brig--the time between each flash
and the report increasing with the distance. By this the lieutenant
has descended to the cabin, followed by his people, while the merchant
crew once more took charge of the ship, crowding sail into the body of
the fleet.
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