This was forcibly represented to Captain Moncrieff by Mr.Campbell; and we trimmed every sail carefully, and kept close to the wind, with a fair prospect of making our escape.
The piratical-looking craft, perceiving we took no notice of her hint to heave to, yawed off a couple of points and sent a messenger after us in the shape of a twenty-four pound shot, which struck the water a short distance astern, and, playfully skipping along, sank beneath the surface near the weather quarter.

Captain Moncrieff said not a word, but looked amazingly sober.

Campbell, who cared little for his life, but had great fear of being robbed, and who regarded all privateers as neither more nor less than thieves and pirates, coolly remarked, "O, he may fire away as much as he likes; he cannot hit us at that distance." "I don't know that," replied captain Moncrieff, much agitated.

"I believe he is gaining on us.

The next shot may take away one of the masts." "He is NOT gaining on us," said Campbell.