At last Mesty turned his eyes that way.
"Dam um, I see right last night; look, Massa Easy--one ship, one brig, tree lateen--dem for us.

By de power, but we make bot prize to-night." The vessels found out by Mesty were not above three miles to windward; they were under all sail, beating up for the protection of a battery, not far distant.
"Now, Massa, suppose they see our boat, dey tink something; keep boat alongside, and shift her when we go 'bout every time: better not sail so fast now--keep further off till they drop anchor for de night; and den, when it dark, we take 'em." All Mesty's advice was good, with the exception perhaps of advising our hero how to disobey orders and take a cruise.

To prevent the vessel from approaching too near the others, and at the same time to let her have the appearance of doing her best, a sail was towed overboard under the bows, and after that they watched the motions of the Harpy.
The distance was too great to distinguish very clearly, but Mesty shinned up the mast of the vessel, and reported progress.
"By Jesus, dare one gun--two gun--go it, Harpy.

Won't she ab um, sure enough.

Now gun-boat fire--dat our gun-boat--no, dat not ours.