anaged to prevent an
actual outbreak; and having taken on board an ample supply of fresh
provisions, and filled up with wood and water, he sailed for the
south-west,--intending to try the fishing-grounds off the Kingsmill and
Ellis's groups, and thence to proceed to New Guinea and the adjacent
islands.

After the _Champion_ had been some weeks at sea, a sail was seen to the
westward: whether a friend or a foe, could not be discovered; but she
was apparently of no great size. The crew loudly insisted that chase
should be given, and that she should be overhauled, many even of the
better-disposed joining in the cry.

"I warn you, my men, that if a foe, though small she may be strongly
armed, and you may have to fight hard for victory--not probably to be
gained till several lives have been lost."

"We want prize-money, and are ready to fight for it," shouted the crew.

"I am willing to please you, though it is my belief that we shall be
better off in the end if we keep to our proper calling. Even if we come
off victorious, our crew will be weakened; and while we are repairing
the damage we receive we might be filling our casks with oil."

"One rich prize will be worth all the whales we can catch," shouted the
crew.

The captain yielded, and all sail was made in chase of the vessel in
sight. The stranger soon discovered that she was pursued, and set all
the canvas she could carry to escape.

The _Champion_ sailed well, and carried a strong breeze with her, while
the vessel ahead had but a light wind. The former soon came up with the
chase, which hoisted French colours. She was a brig, and from her
appearance many thought that she was a man-of-war. If so, though much
smaller, she might prove a formidable antagonist, or turn out a Tartar.
It was too late, however, to escape, and their best chance of gaining
the victory was to put a bold face on the matter. Shot and ammunition
were got up from below, the guns were run out, and the crew went to
their quarters ready for battle. Many surmises were hazarded as to the
character of the vessel. It soon became evident that she was not a
man-of-war; but she might be a privateer, and if so, would prove a tough
customer. That such was the case was soon evident. She now got the
breeze; but instead of setting all sail to escape, she hauled her wind,
and stood away on a bowline, manoeuvring to obtain the weather-gage.
This Captain Tredeagle was too good a sailor to let her