The French officer, a fine young fellow, came on board with his men and repeated his orders to Lieutenant C----.

The vessel, I may mention, was a schooner of perhaps a couple of hundred tons, about 130 feet long.

We had taken possession of the after-part of the deck, the French crew established themselves on the fore-part.
Never was there a more awkward position.

The men on both sides loaded and cocked their muskets.

The English and French officers stood close to one another.