"Can you cripple her, Tempest?" asked the captain.
"I think so, sir."
The Lively Bee suddenly threw her bow up into the wind, and after a short pause, fired her long gun.
The captain of the privateer watched, through his glass, and saw the shot skim over the water and strike the Peacock square in the hull, entering near the bow and raking the deck diagonally.
The Britisher did not answer, but kept on, crowding all sail, and hoping to overtake the Lively Bee and blow her out of the water.
Once again the long gun was fired, but little damage was done, and the British ship answered with a broadside.
"Captain, I can cripple her next time, I think."
"Do so, at all hazards."
The Britisher was nearing her prey.