“Thompson,” said I, “let go the main-sheet, and the main-brace.”  Running forward myself, I let go the main-tack, and bowlines; the main-yard came square of itself.  Thompson got a lantern, which he held up on the starboard quarter.

The frigate passed close under the stern, shewing a beautiful pale side, with a fine tier of guns; and, hailing us, desired to know what vessel it was.

I replied, that it was the True-blooded Yankee of Boston—­that she had hove-to and surrendered.

Chapter XXI

    “It is not,” says Blake, “the business of a seaman to mind state
    affairs, but to hinder foreigners from fooling us.”—­DR JOHNSON’S
    Life of Blake.

The frigate came to the wind close under our lee, and a boat from her was alongside in a very few minutes.  The officer who came to take possession, leaped up the side, and was on the deck in a moment.  I received him, told him in few words what the vessel was, introducing the captain and Green, both of whom I recommended to his particular notice and attention for the kindness they had shown to me, I then requested he would walk down into the cabin, leaving a midshipman whom he brought with him in charge of the deck, and who, in the meanwhile, he directed to haul the mainsail up, and make the vessel snug.  The prisoners were desired to pack up their things, and be ready to quit in one hour.

When lights were brought in the cabin, the lieutenant and myself instantly recognised each other.

“Bless my soul, Frank,” said he, “what brought you here?”

“That,” said I, “is rather a longer story than could be conveniently told before to-morrow; but may I ask what ship has taken the Yankee?  I conclude it is the R——­; and what rank does friend Talbot hold in her?”

“The frigate,” said he, “is the R——­, as you conjectured.  We are on the Cape station.  I am first of her, and sent out here on promotion for the affair of Basque Roads.”

“Hard, indeed,” said I, “that you should have waited so long for what you so nobly earned; but come, we have much to do.  Let us look to the prisoners, and if you will return on board, taking with you the captain, mate, and a few of the hands, whom I will select, as the most troublesome, and the most careless, I will do all I can to have the prize ready for making sail by daylight, when, if Captain T——­ will give me leave, I will wait on him.”

This was agreed to.  The people whom I pointed out, were put into the boat, four of whose crew came aboard the brig to assist me.  We soon arranged every thing, so as to be ready for whatever might be required.  A boat returned with a fresh supply of hands, taking back about twenty more prisoners; and the midshipman, who brought them, delivered also a civil message from the captain, to say, he was glad to have the prize in such good hands, and would expect me to breakfast with him at eight o’clock; in the meantime, he desired, that as soon as I was ready to make sail, I should signify the same by showing two lights at the same height in the main rigging, and that we should then keep on a wind to the northward under a plain sail.