The wind then freshened, and laying her course as she did, while the brigantine was obliged to make frequent tacks, the Osprey ran down fast towards her.
"They must have their eyes on us by this time," the captain said.
"Though they cannot be sure that it is the Osprey, they can see that she is a yawl of over a hundred tons, and as they cannot doubt that we are chasing them, they won't be long in guessing who we are.

Shall we get the arms up, sir ?" "Yes, you may as well do so.

The muskets can be loaded and laid by the bulwarks, but they are not to be touched until I give the order.

No doubt they also are armed.

I am anxious not to fire a shot if it can be helped, and once alongside we are strong enough to overpower them with our cutlasses only.