While yet a great way off a puff of smoke balled out on his fore-deck and disappeared before the report reached us.
"That's blank to tell us to stop.

I must have more to justify me than that," said the captain, and held on.
Another belch of white smoke on the schooner, and in a minute our foremast was sliced through at the cap, and the foretopmast, with its great square sails, and their hamper, was banging on the deck, while the jibs and staysail fell into the sea to leeward, and the big ship fell off her course and nosed round towards the wind.
"-- -- him! That's dismantling shot and no mistake about it.

There's nothing else for it.

Haul down that flag!" cried the captain; and we were captive to _Red Hand_.
"Sink his -- -- boats as he comes aboard, sir!" said one of the mates in a black fury.

"He's only a -- -- pirate." "I would, if we'd gain anything by it," said the captain grimly.