CHAPTER XLI.
"British sailors have a knack, Haul away, yo ho, boys.
Of hauling down a Frenchman's jack 'Gainst any odds, you know, boys." OLD SONG.
There was, I flatter myself, some little skill in the introduction of the foregoing chapter, which has played the part of chorus during the time that the _Bombay Castle_ has proceeded on to Canton, has taken in her cargo, and is on her passage home, in company with fifteen other East Indiamen and several country ships, all laden with the riches of the East, and hastening to pour their treasures into the lap of their country.

Millions were floating on the waters, entrusted to the skill of merchant-seamen to convey them home in safety, and to their courage to defend them from the enemy, which had long been lying in wait to intercept them.

By a very unusual chance or oversight, there had been no men-of-war despatched to protect property of such enormous value.
The Indian fleet had just entered the Straits of Malacca, and were sailing in open order, with a fresh breeze and smooth water.

The hammocks had been stowed, the decks washed, and the awnings spread.

Shoals of albicore were darting across the bows of the different ships; and the seamen perched upon the cat-heads and spritsail-yard, had succeeded in piercing with their harpoons many, which were immediately cut up, and in the frying-pans for breakfast.