She resolved to engage it, if it proved a foe.

But ere they joined, the unknown ship--which proved to be the Scarborough--received a broadside at long gun's distance from another consort of the Richard the Alliance.

The shot whizzed across the broad interval like shuttlecocks across a great hall.

Presently the battledores of both batteries were at work, and rapid compliments of shuttlecocks were very promptly exchanged.

The adverse consorts of the two main belligerents fought with all the rage of those fiery seconds who in some desperate duels make their principal's quarrel their own.