“What have you done with the prize-crew put on board you from the Speedy, the other day?” called out the lieutenant.

“Sent them adrift,” I answered.  “We’ve had enough of prize-crews in this ship, and want no more.”

“Heave-to, sir, on the pain of being treated as a pirate also.”

“Ay, ay—­” shouted Marble, who could keep silent no longer—­“first catch a pirate.  Fire, if you are tired of your cruise.  I wish them bloody Frenchmen had stopped all your grog!”

This was neither dignified nor politic, and I ordered my mate to be silent.  In a good-natured tone I inquired for the names of the late combatants, and the losses of the different ships, but this was too cool for our pursuer’s humour, and I got no answer.  He did not dare fire, however, finding we were armed, and, as I supposed, seeing there was no prospect of his getting easily on board us, even should he get alongside, he gave up the chase, returning to the captured boat.  We again filled and trimmed everything, and went dashing through the water at the rate of seven knots.

The frigates did not fire at us, after the guns already mentioned.  Why, I cannot positively say; but I thought, at the time, that they had too many other things to attend to, besides seeing the little chance there was of overtaking us, should they even happen to cripple a spar or two.

Great was the disappointment on board the Dawn, at the result of the final incidents of this eventful day.  Marble swore outright; for no remonstrances of mine could cure him of indulging in this habit, especially when a little excited.  Diogenes grinned defiance, and fairly shook his fists at the boat; while Neb laughed and half-cried in a breath—­the sure sign the fellow’s feelings were keenly aroused.

As for myself, I felt as much as any of the party, but preserved more self-command.  I saw it was now necessary to quit that vicinity, and to take some definite steps for the preservation of my own ship and property.  There was little to apprehend, however, from the frigates, unless indeed it should fall calm.  In the latter case, they might board us with their boats, which an hour or two’s work would probably enable them to use again.  But I had no intention of remaining in their neighbourhood, being desirous of profiting by the present wind.

The sails were trimmed accordingly, and the ship was steered northwesterly, on a course that took us past the three vessels of war, giving them so wide a berth as to avoid all danger from their batteries.  As soon as this was done, and the Dawn was travelling her road at a good rate, I beckoned to Marble to come near the wheel, for I had taken the helmsman’s duty on myself for an hour or two:  in other words, I was doing that which, from my boyish experience on the Hudson, I had once fancied it was not only the duty, but the pleasure, of every ship-master to do, viz:  steering!  Little did I understand, before practice taught me the lesson, that of all the work on board ship, which Jack is required to do, his trick at the wheel is that which he least covets, unless indeed it may be the office of stowing the jib in heavy weather.