Matters began to look serious, when a flash and wreath of smoke was seen to issue from one of the bow guns of the frigate, and a shot came jumping over the water towards them. It did not reach them, however.
“You must get nearer, monsieur, before you hurt us,” said the captain, as he watched the shot fall into the water.
Shortly afterwards another followed. It came close up to the cutter; but a miss is as good as a mile, and the little vessel was none the worse for it.
Another shot, however, might produce a very different result.
“I say, Bill, I don’t quite like the look of things,” observed Jack. “Our skipper had better give in, or one of those shot will be coming aboard us, and carrying somebody’s head off.”
“He doesn’t look as if he had any thoughts of the sort,” said Bill; “and as long as there is any chance of keeping ahead, he’ll stand on.”
Soon after Bill had made this remark, another shot was fired from the frigate, and passed alongside the cutter, falling some way ahead.
Had it been better aimed, the effect might have been somewhat disastrous. Still Captain Turgot kept at the helm.
Some of the crew, however, began to cry out, and begged him to heave to. He pointed to the shore.