The high-souled boy had now a sharer in his enthusiastic love of his country, and devotion to her cause.

They joined their labors at once to improve the defenders of the flag, who were their shipmates, and yet a disgrace to their native land.

Blair went on in his own peculiar way; while Derry at once announced his position as a Christian mate, who would suffer no profanity in his hearing, and would see the crew of the Molly engage in no deeds on the high seas, not sanctioned by the letters of marque which were their warrant for their blows struck against the common foe.
Some outward change had been produced in the men of the privateer, when all thoughts were suddenly turned into a new channel.

A fast sailing American merchant ship informed Captain Knox that the expected East Indiaman was not more than half a day behind her.
All was at once stir and bustle from stem to stern of the Molly.

The sturdy little craft was like the bristling porcupine, ready and impatient for action, when the masts of the East Indiaman slowly rose above the horizon.