But we should have had her, sir, for all that, had it not been for one thing." "And what is that, pray?
You know, Griffin, I must have something plausible to tell the admiral; it will never do to have it published in the gazette that we were thrashed by our own hallooing." "I was about to say, Captain Cuffe, that had not the lugger fired her first broadside just as she did, and had she given us time to get out of the range of her shot, we should have come in upon her before she could have loaded again, and carried her in spite of the breeze that so much favored her.

Our having three men hurt in the launch made some difference, too, and set as many oars catching crabs at a most critical instant.

Everything depends on chance in these matters, you know, sir, and that was our bad luck." "Umph! It will never do to tell Nelson that.

'Everything was going well, my lord, until three of the launch's people went to work catching crabs with their oars, which threw the boat astern.' No, no, _that_ will never do for a gazette.

Let me see, Griffin; after all, the lugger made off from you; you would have had her had she not made sail and stood to the southward and westward on a bowline." "Yes, sir, she certainly did _that_.