He knew that there was no gun on board the fishing-boat.

The lugger rushed on, sailing quicker, lying up closer to the wind.

She was within twenty yards of the little boat now--would overhaul her in a minute.
But in an instant Barebone was round on the other tack, and the Captain swore aloud, for he knew now that he was not dealing with a landsman.
The "Petite Jeanne" spun round almost as quickly, but not quite.

Every time that Barebone put about, the "Petite Jeanne" must perforce do the same, and every time she lost a little in the manoeuvre.

On a long tack or running before the wind the bigger boat was immeasurably superior.
Barebone had but one chance--to make short tacks--and he knew it.
The Captain knew it also, and no landsman would have possessed the knowledge.