, quietly.

"Hoist the colors, Mr. Stubbs! Port the helm! Look out, my men! Point
the guns to the object! Fire!"

Off went all the guns, not only on the starboard side, in the direction
of the privateer, but all those on the larboard side as well; and this
circumstance probably gave the people on board of the privateer some
idea of the state of confusion we were in. She now rounded to, and gave
us her broadside of three guns: they were well directed, and did us some
damage in the upper works and rigging; but still more in frightening the
people, who were now running down below, notwithstanding the exertions
of the mate, Bramble, one or two of the seamen, and myself; but our fate
was soon decided by the captain, who cried out, "It's useless contending
against such a superior force." With this observation he ran aft and
hauled down the colors. As soon as the men perceived this they all left
the guns; at another broadside from the privateer they all scampered
down below, and at the same time the captain went down into his cabin.
There was none but the mate, the boatswain, Bramble, and myself left on
deck.

"Pleasant," said Bramble. "I thought as much. Well, Tom, here we are, in
for it. Come with me to the helm, for these French fellows will board,
and they make very free with their cutlasses, even after colors are
hauled down. Well," said he, as he walked aft, "I did not think to see
the English flag so disgraced. Poor Bessy, too! Well, never mind. I say,
mate, just let go the weather main-braces and bow-lines, and square the
yards, for it's better to be as humble as possible, now that we can't
help ourselves; and do you and the boatswain go down below, for they cut
right and left, these fellows. They do pay a little more civility to
pilots, as they aren't belonging to the ship."

This advice of Bramble's, which was very good, was followed by the mate
and boatswain.

"Shall I run down and look after our kits?" said I to Bramble.

"No, Tom, don't have anything in your hand, or they will take it from
you, and most likely give you a rap on the head with a cutlass at the
same time; for privateer-men of all nations are little better than
pirates, and don't how to behave in victory. Just keep where you
are--look as if you had nothing to do with the ship except the steering
of her. Here they come!"

As he spoke the lugger touched our weather side, at the same time
lowering down her foresail and mainsail with no little noi