'That's the old Indefatigable, sir,' he said. 'I swear it!' He sprang onto the rail, holding on by the shrouds, and stared under his hand.
'Yes! There she is, sir! She's loosing her royals now, sir. We'll be back on board of her in time for grog!'
A French petty officer reached up and dragged Matthews by the seat of his trousers from his perch, and with a blow and a kick drove him forward again, while a moment later Neuville was shouting the orders that wore the ship round to head away directly from the Indefatigable. Neuville beckoned Hornblower over to his side.
'Your late ship, I understand, Mr Hornblower?'
'Yes.'
'What is her best point of sailing?'
Hornblower's eyes met Neuville's.
'Do not look so noble,' said Neuville, smiling with thin lips. 'I could undoubtedly induce you to give me the information. I know of ways. But it is unnecessary, fortunately for you. There is no ship on earth — especially none of His Britannic Majesty's clumsy frigates — that can outsail the Pique running before the wind. You will soon see that.'
He strolled to the taffrail and looked aft long and earnestly through his glass, but no more earnestly than did Hornblower with his naked eye.
'You see?' said Neuville, proffering the glass.