not much
farther to go."

We weighed with the young flood; the weather was fine, but, as usual at
that time of the year, thick fogs prevailed. We had, however, a leading
wind, and had well rounded the North Foreland, and entered the Queen's
Channel, when it came on very thick.

"Tom, have you the bearings?" said Bramble; "if not, take them at once,
for the fog will soon be over the land."

"I have them," replied I, "and we may as well put them down on the
log-board:--North Foreland Light Nor'-Nor'-West and a quarter West.
Why, we should see the Tongue buoy. Now we'll drop the anchor and furl
the sails, if you please, sir--we can do nothing at present." We did
so: the fog came on thicker than before, and with it a drizzling rain
and wind from the S. At dusk there was no change, or prospect of it.
The men went down to supper, and the watch was set. Bramble and I did
not turn in: we lay down on the lockers of the cabin, and every now and
then went on deck to see how the weather was. About eleven o'clock we
were awakened by a noise: we both started up, and went on deck. To our
surprise it was full of men--we had been boarded by a French privateer,
and they had gained possession of the deck without any alarm being
given, for the men who had the watch had sheltered themselves from the
rain down the hatchway. As soon as we came up, we were collared and
seized.

"Pilot," said Bramble.

"Pilot," said I.

They then asked us in English how many men were on board.

As it was no use concealing the fact, we replied: a portion of the
privateer's men then went down, and surprised them all in their beds.
In about five minutes they came up again, leading the lieutenant and his
men, in their shirts. By the directions of the French captain they were
immediately passed over the side into the privateer, and Bramble and I
were the only two Englishmen left on board of the ship.

The French captain then asked us if we knew where we were, and whether
there was any danger. We replied that we were among the sands, and that
it would be difficult to get her out of them with that wind, and
impossible until the tide turned.

"When will the tide turn?" said the captain.

"In an hour or less," replied Bramble, appealing to me. I replied in
the affirmative.

"Well, then, you will take this vessel clear of the shoals, my men; and
if you do not, your lives are worth nothing:--hold pistols to their
heads," continued he to the offic