The port lay on their quarter now and they were drawing away more quickly as the breeze freshened.

De Catinat glancing back had almost made up his mind that their fears were quite groundless when they were brought back in an instant and more urgently than ever.
Round the corner of the mole a great dark boat had dashed into view, ringed round with foam from her flying prow, and from the ten pairs of oars which swung from either side of her.

A dainty white ensign drooped over her stern, and in her bows the sun's light was caught by a heavy brass carronade.

She was packed with men, and the gleam which twinkled every now and again from amongst them told that they were armed to the teeth.

The captain brought his glass to bear upon them and whistled.
Then he glanced up at the clouds once more.
"Thirty men," said he, "and they go three paces to our two.