The Lily carried a long gun which could be run out at either of her bow ports. It was the gunner’s favourite. He declared that he could shoot as true with it, and ten times as far, as he could with a tower musket. The gun was loaded and pointed through the larboard bow port.
Still the chase held on. It was time to bring her to, for the wind gave signs of dropping.
“Are you ready there, forward, with the gun?” asked the commander.
“Ay, ay, sir!” was the answer.
“Port the helm! Fire!” he shouted directly afterwards.
The gun was well aimed, for the shot went through the schooner’s large squaresail. The ship was again kept on her course, when the gun was hauled in and reloaded.
“Stand by to fire again, and this time pitch it into her. All ready there, forward?”
“Ay, ay, sir!”
Again the helm was ported, but before the commander had time to shout “Fire!” the schooner was seen to haul down her flag, at the same time to take in her squaresail and clew up her foretopsail.
The corvette was soon up, when she was found to be a fine little schooner, such as was employed in the carrying trade between the islands, or in bringing the produce of the plantations to some central depôt.