ive minutes; perhaps he wishes
to put it off till to-morrow morning; but I'll not; so get up the grog--
make it pretty strong: and I'll get something to eat myself, for I have
had nothing to eat all day."

As soon as the ship's company had had their refreshment, I sent for them
aft, and said, "My lads, you have behaved very well, and I am much
obliged to you. We have had hard work, and I dare say you are tired
enough; but I will tell you what my opinion is: I think that we have
peppered that Frenchman very well; and I am convinced that you have put
a good many shots into him between wind and water. Now, that he is
anxious to leave off fighting till to-morrow morning, that he may stop
his leaks and repair his damages, I have no doubt; indeed, he proves it
by his having ceased to fire. For the very reason that he wants to
leave off, I wish to go on; for he is much heavier armed than we are,
and sails as well; and if we permit him to get all right and all ataunt
by to-morrow morning, he may prove a very awkward customer yet. Now
what I propose is this, that we should first get up fresh sails, and
bend them, and then renew the action through the night. There will be
no occasion for all of you to be on deck; we will fight the schooner
watch and watch till daylight."

"That's my opinion, Mr Keene," said Bob Cross.

"And mine," replied the carpenter.

"And all of us, Mr Keene," replied the ship's company with one voice.

"Then, my lads, let's work hard; and when we have settled that fellow,
we shall have plenty of time to sleep."

The men now set to with good-will; and the spare sails were got up, and
those which were shattered by the enemy unbent and replaced. The new
sails, which we had bent, we furled--it was a dead calm--and then we
recommenced our fire, for we were nearer to her than when we ceased
firing, and could distinguish her very well. We fired the long gun four
times before she returned a shot; she then opened very briskly, but none
of her shots did us any damage; our sails being furled, prevented her
distinguishing us as well as we could her. After a time, we manned the
small guns on our broadside, and worked them, for our large gun was so
hot, that it was necessary to let it cool before we could reload it. At
last one of their shots came in through the bulwarks; the splinters
wounded me and the carpenter; but I was not so much hurt as to oblige me
to leave the deck. I bound up my leg with my hand