might venture to
attack.

The _Aspasia_ was disguised as much as possible, and the pirates were
induced to approach within a distance of two miles, when, perceiving
their mistake, they lowered their sails, and turning the head of their
vessel in the opposite direction, pulled away from the frigate, right in
the wind's eye. The breeze freshened, and all possible sail was crowded
on the _Aspasia_, to overtake them, and although, at the close of the
day, they had not neared her much, the bright moon enabled them to keep
the vessel in view during the night. Early in the morning (the crew
being probably exhausted from their incessant labour), she kept away for
some islets broad upon the _Aspasia's_ weather bow, and came to an
anchor in a small cove between the rocks, which sheltered her from the
guns of the frigate.

Captain M--- considered it his duty at all risks to destroy the proa;
and, hoisting out the boats, he gave the command to his
first-lieutenant, with strict injunctions how to deal with such
treacherous and ferocious enemies. The launch was under repair at the
time, and could not be employed; but the barge, pinnace, and two cutters
were considered fully adequate to the service. Courtenay was second in
command, in the pinnace; Seymour had charge of one cutter; and at his
own particular request, Prose was entrusted with the other.

"I do declare, I think that I should like to go," observed Prose, when
he first heard that the vessel was to be cut out.

"Why, you ought, Prose," replied Seymour; "you have never been on
service yet."

"No--and you and I are the only two passed midshipmen in the ship."
(Seymour and Prose had both passed their examination, when the _Aspasia_
was at Bombay.) "I think that I have a right to one of the boats."

So thought the first-lieutenant, when he made his application, and he
obtained the command accordingly.

The boats shoved off as soon as the men had swallowed their breakfasts,
and in less than an hour were but a short distance from the proa, which
proved to be one of the largest size. A discharge of langrage from one
of the two long brass guns, mounted on her prow, flew amongst the boats,
without taking effect. A second discharge was more destructive, three
of the men in the boat which Prose commanded being struck down bleeding
under the thwarts--the oars, which they had not relinquished their hold
of when they fell, being thrown high up in air.

"Halloa! I say--Al