Our young readers will now perceive why Nelson disliked the Yankees, and how much good it would have done him to have closed his jaws upon the "Arthur Brown."
"Suppose we should run up the colors, captain," said Walter, "and stir them up a little."
"We are dead to leeward. If too much provoked, he might slip his cables and come down on us."
"No provocation," said Jacques, "could make him leave the vessel he is watching; for he knows as soon as he makes sail she is away."
It was evident the brigantine had already been the subject of close scrutiny; for, while Ned was bending the flag to the halyards, a flash was seen from the stern of the ship, followed by the report, and a ball sank harmless into the water, a long distance to windward; for the guns of that day were of short range, compared with those of the present time.
As the flag streamed out on the wind, shot followed shot in quick succession, attesting the galling nature of this taunt.
"Let her luff, Lancaster," said the captain to the seaman at the helm.
"Luff, sir."
"That will do; steady."
"Steady, sir."