"I tink," said Mesty, apart to our hero, "dat with what them hab suffer already, suppose they get seven dozen a-piece, dat quite enough." Jack thought that even half that punishment would suffice; so he told the men, that although he must state what had occurred, he would not tell all, and would contrive to get them off as well as he could.

He was about to make a long speech, but a gun from the Harpy, which had now come up within range, made him defer it till a more convenient opportunity.

At the same time the vessel in-shore hoisted Spanish colours and fired a gun.
"By de powers but we got in the middle of it," cried Mesty; "Harpy tink us Spaniard.

Now, my lads, get all gun ready, bring up powder and shot.

Massa, now us fire at Spaniard--Harpy not fire at us--no ab English colours on board--dat all we must do." The men set to with a will; the guns were all loaded, and were soon cast loose and primed, during which operations it fell calm, and the sails of all three vessels flapped against their masts.