Our orders are strict.

We are never to fight if we can get away by running." "But I suppose you have to fight sometimes ?" Francis asked.
"Yes, I have been in some tough fights several times, though not in the Bonito, which was only built last year.

Once in the Lion we were attacked by three pirates.

We were at anchor in a bay, and the wind was blowing on the shore, when they suddenly came round the headland, so there was no chance of running, and we had to fight it out.

We fought for five hours before they sheered off, pretty well crippled, and one of them in flames, for we carried Greek fire.
"Three or four times they nearly got a footing on deck, but we managed to beat them off somehow.