Sail after sail was set, one white cloud succeeding another, until she was a sheet of canvas from her trucks to her bulwarks.

Her lofty sails taking the breeze above the adjacent coast, her progress was swift, for this particular frigate had the reputation of being one of the fastest vessels in the English marine.
It was just twenty minutes by Andrea Barrofaldi's watch after le Feu-Follet passed the spot where he stood, when the Proserpine came abreast of it.

Her greater draught of water induced her to keep half a mile from the promontory, but she was so near as to allow a very good opportunity to examine her general construction and appearance as she went by.

The batteries were now manned, and a consultation was held on the propriety of punishing a republican for daring to come so near a Tuscan port.

But there flew the respected and dreaded English ensign; and it was still a matter of doubt whether the stranger were friend or enemy.