A very reserved, adroit, hoodwinking, statesman-like conversation, indeed.

At last, professing some little incredulity as to the truthfulness of the stranger's statement, Paul intimated a desire that he should put out a boat and come on board to show his commission, to which the stranger very affably replied, that unfortunately his boat was exceedingly leaky.

With equal politeness, Paul begged him to consider the danger attending a refusal, which rejoinder nettled the other, who suddenly retorted that he would answer for twenty guns, and that both himself and men were knock-down Englishmen.

Upon this, Paul said that he would allow him exactly five minutes for a sober, second thought.

That brief period passed, Paul, hoisting the American colors, ran close under the other ship's stern, and engaged her.