"In a light wind we could run away from the frigate, but with this breeze we have no chance with her.

Look how she is piling on sail!" The crew shared the captain's opinion.

Some shook their fists and cursed vainly at their pursuers, some stood sullenly scowling, while the French portion of the crew gave way to wild outbursts of rage.
Rapidly the three vessels closed in towards each other, for the cutter edged in so rapidly that the lugger was obliged to bear off towards the frigate again.

As a last hope, the lugger's course was changed, and she again tried running, but the superior weight and power of the frigate brought her rapidly down.

Presently a heavy gun boomed out, and a shot came dancing along the water, a hundred yards away.
"Lower the sails," the skipper said.