The fact was too true to be denied, for the brigand tine was again under all her canvas, before the ship had sensibly profited by her superior physical force.  It was at this moment, when, perhaps, in consequence of the swell on the water, the Coquette might have possessed some small advantage, that the wind suddenly failed.  The squall had been its expiring effort; and, within an hour after the two vessels had again made sail, the canvas was flapping against the masts, in a manner to throw back, in eddies, a force as great as that it received.  The sea fell fast, and ere the end of the last or forenoon watch, the surface of the ocean was agitated only by those long undulating swells, that seldom leave it entirely without motion.  For some little time, there were fickle currents of air playing in various directions about the ship, but always in sufficient force to urge her slowly through the water; and then, when the equilibrium of the element seemed established, there was a total calm.  During the half-hour of the baffling winds, the brigantine had been a gainer, though not enough to carry her entirely beyond the reach of the cruiser’s guns.

“Haul up the courses!” said Ludlow, when the fast breath of wind had been felt on the ship, and quitting the gun where he had long stood, watching the movements of the chase.  “Get the boats into the water, Mr. Luff, and arm their crews.”

The young commander issued this order, which needed no interpreter to explain its object, firmly, but in sadness.  His face was thoughtful, and his whole air was that of a man who yielded to an imperative but an unpleasant duty.  When he had spoken, he signed to the attentive Alderman and his friend to follow, and entered his cabin.

“There is no alternative,” continued Ludlow, as he laid the glass, which so often that morning had been at his eye, on the table, and threw himself into a chair.  “This rover must be seized at every hazard, and here is a favorable occasion to carry him by boarding.  Twenty minutes will bring us to his side, and five more will put us in possession; but—­”

“You think the Skimmer is not a man to receive such visiters with an old woman’s welcome;” pithily observed Myndert.

“I much mistake the man, if he yield so beautiful a vessel, peacefully.  Duty is imperative on a seaman, Alderman Van Beverout; and, much as I lament the circumstance, it must be obeyed.”

“I understand you, Sir.  Captain Ludlow has two mistresses, Queen Anne and the daughter of old Etienne de Barberie.  He fears both.  When the debts exceed the means of payment, it would seem wise to offer to compound; and, in this case, Her Majesty and my niece may be said to stand in the case of creditors.”

“You mistake my meaning, Sir;” said Ludlow proudly.  “There can be no composition between a faithful officer and his duty, nor do I acknowledge more than one mistress in my ship—­but seamen are little to be trusted in the moment of success, and with their passions awakened by resistance.—­Alderman Van Beverout, will you accompany the party and serve as mediator?”