“No doubt, no doubt, Mr Gascoigne; but nevertheless, the king’s prerogative must never be given up.”
“Then I agree with you, Mr Oxbelly; it must be held in case of sudden emergency and absolute need.”
“We’ll argue that point by-and-bye,” replied Jack; “now let us consult as to our measures. My opinion is, that if I made more sail we should beat the frigate, but she would come up with the prizes.”
“That’s the best thing we can do, Mr Easy; but let us send a boat on board of them, and take out all the men that can possibly be spared, that there may be no excuse for impressing them.”
“Yes,” replied Gascoigne; “and as the wind is falling it is possible it may fall calm, and they may send their boats; suppose we separate a mile or two from each other.”
“Dat very good advice, Massa Gascoigne,” observed Mesty.
This plan was acted upon; only three men were left in the lateens, and four in the galliot, and the vessels, in obedience to the orders, sheered off on both sides of the Rebiera, who made all sail and started ahead of the prizes. This manoeuvre was perceived on board of the frigate, and made them sure that it was a Spanish convoy attempting to escape. The fire-engine was got on deck, sails wetted, and every exertion made to come up. But about four o’clock in the afternoon, when the frigate was eight or nine miles off, it fell calm, as Gascoigne had predicted, and the heads of all the vessels, as well as the frigate, were now round the compass.
“There’s out boats,” said Mr Oxbelly; “they will have a long pull, and all for nothing.”
“How savage they will be!” observed Gascoigne.
“Never mind that,” replied Jack; “Mesty says that dinner is ready.”