It is not of the slightest use adding to the sail we carry, for at our very best speed, those schooners could sail round and round us.

As night comes on I intend to shorten sail, and put the ship into fighting trim.

In the morning I shall again increase it, but I shall not make any attempt to escape a combat which it depends entirely on those privateers to bring on, or not, as they choose.

I am sorry that Mrs.Ashmead should be exposed to the unpleasantness of listening to the explosion of firearms, and that my other lady passengers should be exposed to the danger which cannot but arise, more or less, from a naval conflict.
"However, I hope, sir, that there need be no great anxiety as to the result.

The Company has given us a heavy armament, and you may be sure that we shall all do our best." Seeing the gentlemen go below for their guns, Charlie asked one of the other young writers, a lad of about his own age, named Peters, with whom he had become very friendly, to go below with him.