, the 'Oudacious'--we were with the squadron off Ferrol;
signal made to chase southeast--clapped every stitch on her after two
gun-boats who were running down in-shore. Light winds--got well in for
the land, and then it fell calm. Gun-boats four miles off using their
sweeps--our boats in chase--I was coxswain of the first pinnace--a
devilish fast boat, messmate, I can tell you, with a smart brass
gun--pulled two feet to their one, and came up with them
hand-over-hand--both cutters and the other pinnace well up with us--the
old launch half a mile astern. Now you see, sir, I've got the picture
for you, haven't I?"

"Just exactly," replied old Ben.

"Well, then, it was a long pull; and that reminds me that I'll have a
long pull now, so hand me the porter, messmate." My father took a
tremendous long pull at the pewter, and then handing it to Ben, he
recommenced:

"We were soon within gun-shot, and they turned their heads toward us and
blazed away: very pretty shot they fired, for they cut away three of our
starboard oars before we were near enough to return the fire with our
small gun. However, the second pinnace and cutters came up and shared
the shot with us; and at last the old fat launch came grunting along,
for all the world like an old board, pitching into them round and grape.
Now the first lieutenant was in the launch, and, of course, commanded,
and he ordered the boats to separate more, which was very right, as it
divided the shot; and then he passed the word that when he sounded the
bugle we were all to pull to the headmost gun-boat and board her. D'ye
understand, messmate?"

"Perfectly," replied Ben, taking his pipe out to reply.

"Well, then, just hand me the pot." My father drained it this time, and
told me to go for another.

"Then I shall lose the story," replied I.

"No, boy, you won't," replied Ben; "I'll answer for it your father will
heave-to till you come back."

"So I will, Jack," replied my father. And having with every expedition
executed my task, my father then continued:

"Well, there we all were, waiting for the bugle, each boat creeping on a
little every moment, so as to have a fair start, as they do in a race;
when at last the signal was given, and away we all went like smoke,
with our oars bending double. The first pinnace reached the gun-boat
first; then the cutters banged alongside of her--all three of us to
windward--while the second pinnace and launch took her to leeward.
There's