thing. And he was not
disappointed, for when we had come within easy range of her, the smoke
hid her from view for a few minutes, and as it dispersed the first
glimpse showed the captain that her studding sails had all gone, and
that she had hauled by the wind, standing across our weather bow. Her
captain had lost no time in taking in his studding sails; halyards,
tacks, and sheets had all been cut together and dropped overboard.

It was a bold and well-executed manoeuvre, and we could not help
admiring the skill with which she was handled. However, we had been
prepared for this move. "Ease down your helm." "Lower away. Haul down
the studding sails." "Ease away the weather braces. Brace up."
"Trim down the head sheets," were the orders which followed in rapid
succession, and were as quickly executed. The Spaniard was now broad on
our lee bow, distant not more than half a mile, but as she felt the wind
which we brought down she fairly spun through the water, exposing her
bright copper. She was both head-reaching and outsailing us; in half an
hour she would have been right ahead of us, and in an hour the sun would
be down. It was now or never. We could bring nothing to bear except the
gun on the forecastle. Fortunately it continued smooth, and we were no
longer troubled with smoke. Shot after shot went hissing through the air
after her; a number tore through the sails or rigging, but not a spar
was touched nor an important rope cut. We could see some of her crew
aloft reeving and stopping braces and ready to repair any damage done,
working as coolly under fire as old man-of-war's men. But while we were
looking, down came the gaff of her mainsail, and the gaff-topsail fell
all adrift; a lucky shot had cut her peak halyards. Our crew cheered
with a will. "Well done, Hobson; try it again!" called the captain to
the boatswain's mate, who was captain of the gun.

After the next shot, the topgallant yard swayed for a few minutes and
fell forward. The order was given to cease firing; she was at our mercy.
We were rapidly nearing the chase, when she backed her topsail. We kept
off, and when within easy range of the carronades "hove to" to windward.
Lieutenant Bukett was ordered to board her in the first cutter and
take charge. I followed in the second cutter, with orders to bring the
captain on board with his papers. A few strokes sent us alongside of a
brig about our tonnage, but with a low rail and a flush deck. The
crew, some