“Ay, ay, sir,” replied Cain.
“Hands about ship!” now resounded with the boatswain’s whistle on board of the frigate, and in a minute they were on the other tack. The Avenger also tacked and kept close under the frigate’s counter.
In the meantime, Edward Templemore and those on board of the Enterprise who, by the course steered, had gradually neared them, perceiving the motions of the two other vessels, were quite puzzled. At one time they thought they had made a mistake, and that it was not the pirate vessel; at another they surmised that the crew had mutinied and surrendered to the frigate. Edward hauled his wind, and steered directly for them, to ascertain what the real facts were. The captain of the frigate, who had never lost sight of either vessel, was equally astonished at the boldness of the supposed pirate.
“Surely the rascal does not intend to board us?” said he to the first-lieutenant.
“There is no saying, sir; you know what a character he has: and some say there are three hundred men on board, which is equal to our ship’s company. Or perhaps, sir, he will pass to windward of us, and give us a broadside, and be off in the wind’s eye again.”
“At all events we will have a broadside ready for him,” replied the captain. “Clear away the starboard guns, and take out the tompions. Pipe starboard watch to quarters.”
The Enterprise closed with the frigate to windward, intending to run round her stern and bring to on the same tack.
“He does not shorten sail yet, sir,” said the first-lieutenant, as the schooner appeared skimming along about a cable’s length on their weather bow.
“And she is full of men, sir,” said the master, looking at her through the night-glass.
“Fire a gun at her!” said the captain.