The British soldiers fired three or four scattering shots, and then cheered in their turn, in recognition of the admirable skill and courage with which their young adversary had eluded them.
Sam's escape was not made yet, however.

A war ship lay below, and her commander seeing the chase, and the firing in the bay, manned a light boat with marines, and sent her out to intercept Sam's craft, without very clearly understanding the situation or its meaning.
Sam saw this boat put off from the ship, and knew in an instant what it meant.

He saw, too, that he had no chance to slip by it as he had done by the other, as it was already very near to him, and almost in his track.
"Now, boys," he said very calmly, "we've got to fight.

There's no chance to slip by that boat, and we've got to whip her in a fair fight, or get whipped.

Keep your wits about you, and listen for orders.