"That was a tight squeeze!" I said, bawling in Phil's ear, because the roar of the wind rendered ordinary conversation difficult; and he replied by saying:—
"At one time I counted it as a certainty that we must run on such a course as would allow the Britishers to rake us!"
At the same instant I noted the fact that while our crew should have been snugging down the canvas, they were moving here and there as if going to quarters, and, pouncing on Master Hackett who chanced to pass near at hand, I asked him for an explanation.
"Look yonder, lad," he cried. "Are you blind that you can't see both the Britishers comin' down upon us with motto flags and jacks set? The brave Captain Hillyar whom our commander spared when we might have sent him to the bottom, is countin' on tacklin' us while we're wrecked aloft, an' in no position to manœuvre."
"But we're still in the port!" I cried, almost beside myself with astonishment and fear.
"He doesn't give a fig for the port, now we're the same as disabled. It's what the coward has been waitin' for, an' he'd take advantage of us if we were lyin' just off the town! A gallant Britisher he, who wouldn't give fair battle, but hangs off an' on till he finds us in a tight place! Show me a Yankee who'd play so contemptible a game, an' I'll help keel-haul him!"
The first boat's crew was called away to get a spring on our cable, and the Phœbe was bearing down upon us with her men at quarters, thus showing, if we had had any doubt before, that it was her intention to open the action when we were well-nigh helpless.
Our commander was not one to show the white feather, however great the danger. At every point where we could reeve a halliard, flags were hoisted, and orders were given to go to quarters, although if the spring was not got on the cable we might never be able to give them a broadside.
None but a bully and a braggart like Captain Hillyar would have attacked an enemy while in such a condition.
The Phœbe rounded to when nearly astern of us, and while our men were working at the spring she opened fire at long range. The Cherub hauled off our starboard bow and blazed away at the same time.