The brig was put before the wind, and gradually all her canvas was spread.

The privateer immediately shook out all her reefs, set her lofty sails, hoisted French colours, and, in a few minutes, a shot whizzed through the rigging of the _Estelle_, and pitched into the water ahead of them.
"I thought so," cried Roberts.

"It's a Johnny Crapeau.

A starn chase is a long chase, anyhow.

The brig sails well, and there aren't more than two hours daylight; so Monsieur must be quick, or we'll give him the slip yet." The privateer was now within a mile of them; both vessels had "got their way;" and their respective powers of sailing were to be ascertained.