In half an hour the privateer had neared to three-quarters of a mile.
"I think our little guns will soon reach her," observed Newton.
Williams, give me the helm.

Go forward with Roberts and the men, and rouse them aft.

Be smart, my lads, for she has the heels of us." "Come along," said Roberts.

"You, Collins, why don't you stir ?--do you wish to see the inside of a French prison ?" "No," replied Collins, sauntering forward, "not particularly." "Only by way of a change, I suppose," observed Thompson, another of the convicts.

"You have been in every gaol in England, to my knowledge--haven't you, Ben ?" "Mayhap I have," replied Collins; "but one gentleman should never interfere in the consarns of another.