Mer. Such a Cousin, Girl, such a dear Cousin he is, as Alexander the Great, if he were alive, might be proud and boast of.
Ara. You’re welcome here again, Sir; You’ve made but a short Voyage, pray what occasion’d your Return so speedily?
Sum. Madam, I render you ten thousand Thanks; Your Generosity and Goodness has wholly made me yours; I am the humblest of your faithful Admirers.
Ara. Forbear such lavish Gratitude; You’r too profuse in your Acknowledgment of your small Favours. But pray be brief, and let me know the happy Occasion of this your sudden Return, I long methinks to hear it.
Sum. Madam, you may command me—Not to molest the Company with the Recital of every vain and needless Circumstance; ’twas briefly thus. Scarce had we passed by Marget on our Course, when on a sudden, from the Top-mast head, a Sailer cries, All hands Aloft, three Sails ahead: With that we rumidg and clear our Deck, our Gun-room arm’d, and all things now are ready for a Fight. The Ships before descried, with warlike Stems cut the resisting Waves, whilst from their Pendants fluttering in the Air, we found they were three Dunkirk Privateers; they having made our English Cross advanced, salute us with a Broad-side, to make us strike and yield: But we, who ne’re knew as yet what ’twas so cowardly to yield, and not regarding their unequal Odds, fell boldly on, returning Fire for Fire. The Engagement then grew desperate, for they on either Side fired in amain, whilst we withstood their Force. At length they boldly grappled, and laid us close aboard, and we as bravely beat them off again.
Mer. But now, Daughter, mark what follows, for that’s worth all, I’faith it is; therefore go on, dear Cuz, go on.
Sum. Sea-room at length we got; when (as Fate wou’d have it) an unlucky Shot struck both the Captain and Lieutenant dead. Then we began to fear, and all our noble Hearts were trembling with despair.
Mer. No, no, not all Daughter—But you shall hear more—Ods bobs you shall.
Sum. How cou’d it be otherwise, when both our Commanders now were lost? therefore to strike was all the Talk——