The wind was fair, however, and the schooner ran for her destination under close-reefed sails.

Just before reaching it they fell in with a large full-rigged ship, which, on sighting the schooner, ran up her flag half-mast high, as a signal of distress.

She had sprung a leak, and was sinking.
Had the weather been calmer, the pirates would have at once boarded the vessel and carried her as a prize into the harbor; but the sea ran so high that this was impossible.

Manton therefore ran down as close to the side of the merchantman (for such she seemed to be) as enabled him to hail her through the speaking-trumpet.

When sufficiently near he demanded her name and destination.
"The Brilliant, from Liverpool, bound for the Sandwich Islands.