The positions of the three cutters were as follows:—
The Happy-go-lucky was about four miles off Portland Head, and well into West Bay. The revenue-cutter was close to the Head. The yacht was outside of the smuggler, about two miles to the westward, and about five or six miles from the revenue-cutter.
“Two vessels in sight, sir,” said Mr Smith, coming down into the cabin to Mr Appleboy.
“Very well,” replied the lieutenant, who was lying down in his standing bed-place.
“The people say one is the Happy-go-lucky, sir,” drawled Smith.
“Heh? What! Happy-go-lucky? Yes, I recollect; I’ve boarded her twenty times—always empty. How’s she standing?”
“She stands to the westward now, sir; but she was hove to, they say, when they first saw her.”
“Then she has a cargo in her,” and Mr Appleboy shaved himself, dressed, and went on deck.
“Yes,” said the lieutenant, rubbing his eyes again and again, and then looking through the glass, “it is her, sure enough. Let draw the foresheet-hands make sail. What vessel’s the other?”
“Don’t know, sir,—she’s a cutter.”