I can only see her topmasts, but I can make out no yards." Presently the lookout came down, and reported that the distant vessel appeared to be a large fore-and-aft schooner, bearing down upon them.
"She will not be up for two hours, yet," the captain said.

"It will be getting dark, then.

It is not likely they will engage at night, but they will keep close, and show their teeth at daybreak." It soon became known that the belief of the captain was that the vessel in their wake, and that which could be seen approaching on the beam, were French privateers; and soon all were preparing, in their own way, for what might happen.

The sailors cleared the decks, and loosed the guns.

The gentlemen went below, and shortly returned bringing up rifles and fowling pieces.