cided upon my course of
action. If we went on as we were going we should pass very close to the
Indiaman, but if we shifted our helm about a point to the southward we
should pass quite close to the brig. I therefore determined to make
that very slight deviation from my course, and see what would happen. I
could not hope to divert the brig from her chase of so valuable a prize
as the ship, but it was just possible that I might, by opening fire on
the pursuer, be lucky enough to bring down a spar or otherwise damage
her sufficiently to afford the Indiaman a chance to escape. I therefore
ordered the helm to be shifted, and gave instructions for the crew to go
to quarters, to double-shot the broadside batteries and to open fire on
the brig with our long eighteen the moment that we should come within
range. That moment was not long deferred, and presently Thompson, the
gunner, shouted:

"I think we can about reach him now, sir."

"Then fire as soon as you are ready," replied I. "And aim at his spars.
It is far more important to shoot away a topmast than to hull the
fellow."

"Ay, ay, sir!" answered Thompson, and I saw him stoop behind the gun,
directing the gun's crew with his hands as he squinted along the sights
of the weapon. Another second or two, as the schooner rose over the
back of a swell, he fired. The aim was a splendid one, but the
elevation was scarcely sufficient, for the shot struck the craft's
weather bulwarks fair between the masts, making the splinters fly.

"Excellent!" I exclaimed. "Admirable! Don't alter your elevation,
Thompson, for we are nearing him fast. Try again, as quick as you
like."

The gun was reloaded, and again fired; but this time, whether due to
over-eagerness or some other cause, the gunner made a bad shot, the ball
striking the water astern of, and some distance beyond, the brig. Then,
while the men were reloading, nine jets of flame and smoke leapt
simultaneously from the brig's side, and nine round shot tore up the
water unpleasantly close under our bows.

"How would it do to train the guns of the port broadside forward, and
return his compliment?" asked Keene, who was standing close beside me.

"No, Jack, on no account," said I. "I am saving up those two broadsides
for a possible emergency, and if we were to fire now there would be no
time to reload before we are down upon him. But go you, my hearty, and
see that the guns of the starboard broadside are so trained