The one was a brig, the other a schooner.

They carried lofty spars ever so much higher than an honest trader could want; and quick as we had got up our sails, they had got their canvas spread as soon as we had.
"The ship was a fast sailer, but it didn't need half an hour to show that they had the legs of us.

So the skipper called the crew aft.

'Now, my lads,' he said, 'you see those two vessels astern.

I don't think it needs any telling from me as to what they are.