re still near
the town, and anchored them under our guns. To the privateers that
showed their heels, the larger boats gave chase; and coming up with them
one after another, they were finally all captured. Had they but acted
in combination, I think they might have resisted the boats with success;
but their commanders seemed to have lost all presence of mind, in the
confusion and astonishment into which our sudden appearance had thrown
them.

Now, all this was very pleasant to us, _Messieurs les concernes_. We
calculated upon having the whole wealth of the French town, and the
little French fleet converted into lawful prize-money. The
deeply-laden, poop-encumbered brigs and schooners, so ungracefully down
by the stern, we imagined to be full of treasure. Visions of gold
glittered before our mind's eye. We were about to recover the plunder
of ages; for it must be confessed that this Aniana was no better than a
haven for pirates. One of us was cruelly undeceived in one respect. As
yet, we had met with no manner of resistance whatever: it was ten
o'clock in the evening, the full moon giving us a very excellent
imitation of daylight, when all the commanders who had dined with our
yellow skipper came on deck, in the highest possible glee, delightedly
rubbing their hands, and calculating each his share of the prize-money.
All this hilarity was increased, every now and then, by some boats
coming on board, and reporting to us, as commodore, another privateer,
or some fugitive merchantman, taken, and then immediately shoving off in
chase of others.

"Well, gentlemen," said the skipper, "I'll tell you what we'll do.
We'll send the marines on shore to-morrow, and take possession of the
town. However, we will be very civil to the ladies;--we will, by Venus!
As commanding officer, I'll permit of no rudeness."

"None whatever: who could think or frightening them? I suppose, Captain
Reud, there can be no harm in going ashore now, and paying them a visit
just to alleviate their fears," was the reply of one of the commanders.

"Not to-night, not to-night. Depend upon it, all the best of the
beauty, and the best of the wealth, is safely stowed in this numerous
fleet, quietly anchored about us: we have them all safe. There might be
some villains lurking about the town with their cane knives in their
belts; let us have all clear, and daylight before us. Not that I think
there is any pluck among them--they have not spirit eno