me long sweeps, and
with her boats towing ahead, quickly crept away from us. I thought our
captain would have ordered out the boats to attack her, but I suppose
that he thought it was not worth risking the lives of the men by
boarding a vessel with a crew so strong as she probably possessed. Thus
we lay for some hours, rolling our sides into the smooth, shining
waters. I heard some of the officers say that they could see through
their glasses several other craft at anchor in a small bay protected by
a fort. As evening approached a breeze sprang up, and making sail, we
stood off the land. As soon as it was dark, however, the ship was put
about, and we stood back again for some distance, when we hove-to, and
the boats were lowered. The captain then announced that he intended to
send four boats in, under the command of the first lieutenant; the third
lieutenant taking charge of one, Mr Harvey of another, and the
boatswain of a fourth. Dick and I were in Mr Harvey's boat. The
object was to cut out the brig we had chased into port, as well as any
other vessels we could get hold of. It was just the sort of work
sailors are fond of, though at the same time often as dangerous as any
they can engage in. They like it all the better, however, for the
danger.

The brig was to be the first attacked, and we hoped to surprise her, as
probably some of her officers and crew were ashore. If we could take
her, we had little doubt about cutting-out one or two of the others
which had been seen at anchor.

The night was very dark, and just suited for our purpose. The first
lieutenant took the lead in one of the gigs. The two cutters and
pinnace followed close astern, to prevent the risk of separating. In
perfect silence we pulled away from the frigate with muffled oars. As
yet we could see no light to guide us, but we expected to catch sight of
some of those on shore as we drew nearer. To get up to the anchorage we
had a point to round. There was the risk, should any sentry be posted
there, that we should be discovered. The lieutenant accordingly gave it
as wide a berth as he could. Once round it, we could see the masts of
the brig against the sky, but there was no light visible, nor was any
movement perceptible on board her. We pulled on steadily, hoping to get
up to her without being discovered. We fancied that the Frenchmen must
be keeping a bad look-out. On and on we glided, like spirits of evil
bent on mischief,