Our ship, meaning the Greenwich, was manœuvred beautifully; she poured in three broadsides before the enemy could get into position to fire one, and we were yet more than a league distant when the Britisher showed that she had had enough. As her colors came down we cheered and shouted like wild men, some of the old shellbacks dancing around the deck like apes who have suddenly gone mad; but before many minutes passed we saw that we had begun our rejoicings a trifle too early.
After giving token of surrender the captain of the Seringapatam evidently thought he yet had an opportunity to escape, for he slipped off to windward before a prize crew could be thrown on board.
We gazed in breathless suspense as the Greenwich, never stopping to pick up the crew in the two boats which had been lowered to take possession of the prize, crept up on the enemy's quarter and poured in such a fire as was most surprising, considering the number of men which were left on board.
The Britisher soon came to understand that we Yankees were too much for him, even though he outclassed us both as to metal and men, for he wore around and came down to us as meekly as any lamb.
Captain Porter lost no time in throwing a prize crew on board, after transshipping the officers, and away we went for the New Zealander, who was doing her feeble best to crawl out of the way; but succeeding very badly.
When we passed within half a mile of the Greenwich our crew lined the yards and gave her the heartiest of salutes, while Captain Porter winked at the performance when he should have reprimanded us severely for daring to do so without permission or orders.
The New Zealander was taken without opposition, and again we found ourselves with more prizes and prisoners than could conveniently be managed.
Before nightfall Captain Porter learned that the commander of the Seringapatam had taken one prize illegally, he having no letter of marque; and since this was neither more nor less than piracy, the venturesome Britisher was put in irons to be sent home for trial.
Next morning the Charlton's guns, ammunition, small arms, and spare sails were taken out; all the prisoners were put on board, and she was allowed to make sail for Rio de Janeiro, every man jack being under parole to go to that port and none other.
Hardly had she filled away on her course than we set to work putting the Seringapatam into shape for our own use. The guns of the New Zealander were mounted in her, which brought up the number to twenty-two, but we could leave on board no more than a sufficient crew to work her.