However, we shall begin to do better, soon.

I heard the captain say that he should change his course tomorrow.

We are somewhere off Cork, and when he makes a few miles more westing, he will bear away south.

If we had had a favourable wind, we should have taken our departure from the Start, but with it in this quarter we are obliged to make more westing, before we lay her head on her course, or we should risk getting in too close to the French coast; and their privateers are as thick as peas, there." "But we should not be afraid of a French privateer, doctor ?" "Well, not altogether afraid of one, but they very often go in couples; and sometimes three of them will work together.

I don't think one privateer alone would venture to attack us, though she might harass us a bit, and keep up a distant fire, in hopes that another might hear it and bear down to her aid.