"There is a good deal of running about on deck there." It was evident that the display of the heavy metal carried by the Indiaman was an unpleasant surprise to the privateers.

Both lowered sail and ceased firing, and there was then a rapid exchange of signals between them.
"They don't like it," the captain said, laughing.

"They see that they cannot play the game they expected, and that they've got to take as well as to give.

Now it depends upon the sort of stuff their captains are made of, whether they give it up at once, or come straight up to close quarters.
"Ah! They mean fighting." As he spoke, a cloud of canvas was spread upon the schooners and, sailing more than two feet to the merchantman's one, they ran quickly down towards her, firing rapidly as they came.

Only the merchantman's heavy guns replied, but these worked steadily and coolly, and did considerable damage.