Chapter Twenty Four.
Four nights and three days we remained in this way; during which my men had nothing to do but to exercise at the guns, and of that I took care they should have a good spell. On the fourth night the wind was a little fresher, but the water quite smooth. I had turned in about twelve o’clock, and had been asleep about an hour when Cross came and called me.
“Well, Cross,” said I, “what is it?”
“Here they are, sir.”
“What?—the privateers?”
“Yes, sir; the brig and schooner both coming down right before the wind; they are on our weather quarter, and will pass us within two miles, if not nearer.”
I left my bed-place, and was dressed in a minute. I went on deck with my glass, and directed it to the vessels, which were quite plain to the naked eye.
“Put out the binnacle light, Cross,” said I; “they might discover us.”
The brig, which was the headmost of the two vessels, was now nearly crossing our stern. The schooner was about a mile astern of her.
“Turn the hands up, Cross; see all ready for action and making sail.”