From what followed it is easy to see that Macrae's was the guiding spirit in this.

Cables were cut, and they stood out to sea, but, owing to the light baffling winds, made little way.

By next morning the pirates had closed, and bore down with a black flag (skull and crossbones) at the main, a red flag at the fore, and the cross of St.George at the ensign staff.

The _Greenwich_ and the Ostender, having a better wind than the _Cassandra_, had got some distance away.

In vain Macrae fired gun after gun at the _Greenwich_ to make Kirby heave to.