“Seize him up,” said the captain; “you were sent to the mast-head in your regular turn of duty; and you have neglected that duty, by which means we are likely to be taken:  so, before my authority ceases, I will show you a Yankee trick.”

“I am an Englishman,” said the man, “and appeal to my officer for protection.”

The captain looked at me.

“If I am the officer you appeal to,” said I, “I do not acknowledge you; you threw off your allegiance when you thought it suited your purpose, and you now wish to resume it to screen yourself from a punishment which you richly deserve.  I shall certainly not interfere in your favour.”

“I was born,” roared the cockney, “in Earl Street, Seven Dials—­my mother keeps a tripe-shop—­I am a true born Briton, and you have no right to flog me.”

“You was a Yankee sailor from New London yesterday, and you are a tripe-seller, from Old London to-day.  I think I am right in calling you a no-nation rascal, but we will talk about the right another time,” said the captain; “meanwhile, Dick Twist, do you begin.”

Twist obeyed his orders with skill and accuracy; and having given the prisoner three dozen, that would not have disgraced the leger-de-main of my friend the Farnese Hercules in the brig, Sam Gall was desired to take his turn.  Sam acquitted himself a merveille with the like number; and the prisoner, after a due proportion of bellowing, was cast loose.  I could not help reflecting how very justly this captain had got his vessel into jeopardy by first allowing a man to be seduced from his allegiance, and then placing confidence in him.

“Let us now take a look at the chase,” said the captain; “zounds, she draws up with us.  I can see her bowsprit-cap when she lifts; and half an hour ago I only saw her foreyard.  Cut away the jolly-boat from the stern, Solomon.”

The chief mate took a small axe, and, with a steady blow at the end of each davit, divided the falls, and the boat fell into the sea.

“Throw these here two aftermost guns overboard,” said the captain; “I guess we are too deep abaft, and they would not be of much use to us in the way of defence, for this is a wapper that’s after us.”

The guns in a few minutes were sent to their last rest; and for the next half-hour the enemy gained less upon them.  It was now about half-past three P.M.; the courage of the Yankees revived; and the second mate reminded the captain that his black eye had not been reckoned for at the main rigging.

“Nor shall it be,” said the captain, “while I command the True-blooded Yankee; what is, is right; no man shall be punished for fair defence after warning.  Thompson, come and stand aft.”

The man was in the act of obeying this order, when he was seized on by some six or eight of the most turbulent, who began to tear off his jacket.

“Avast there, shipmates!” said Twist and Gall, both in a breath.  “We don’t mind touching up such a chap as this here tripeman; but not the scratch of a pin does Thompson get in this vessel.  He is one of us; he is a seamen every inch of him, and you must flog us, and some fifty more, if once you begin; for d——­n my eyes if we don’t heave the log with the second mate, and then lay-to till the frigate comes along side.”