Now up came their anchors and their sails were set.

The pirate was coming! Whatever the Royal James intended to do, Mr.Rhett had but one plan, and that was to meet the enemy as soon as possible and fight him.

So up sailed the Henry and up sailed the Sea Nymph, and they pressed ahead so steadily to meet the Royal James that the latter vessel, in carrying out what was now her obvious intention of getting out to sea, was forced shoreward, where she speedily ran upon a bar.

Then, from the vessels of Charles Town there came great shouts of triumph, which ceased when first the Henry and then the Sea Nymph ran upon other bars and remained stationary.
Here was an unusual condition--three ships of war all aground and about to begin a battle, a battle which would probably last for five hours if one or more of the stationary vessels were not destroyed before that time.

It was soon found, however, that there would only be two parties to the fight, for the Sea Nymph was too far away to use her guns.