"It has been a near thing," the marquis said; "we have only won by
five minutes."
Three minutes later came a flash, followed by the roar of a gun,
and almost at the same moment a shot struck the water, fifty yards
ahead of them on their beam.
"We are nearly a mile away already," the captain said. "It is fifty
to one against their crippling us by this light, though they may
knock some holes in our sails, and perhaps splinter our timbers a
little.
"Ah! Just what I thought, here come the chasse marees," and he
pointed to two vessels which had lain close under the shadow of the
forts, and which were now hoisting sail.
"It is lucky that they are in there, instead of cruising outside,
as usual. I suppose they saw the gale coming, and ran in for a
quiet night."
The forts were now hard at work, and the balls fell thickly around.
One or two went through the sails, but none touched her hull or
spars, and in another ten minutes she was so far away that the
forts ceased firing.
By this time, however, the chasse marees were under full sail, and
were rapidly following in pursuit. La Belle Jeanne had, however, a
start of fully a mile and a half.
"How do those craft sail with yours?" Rupert asked.
"In ordinary weather the 'Jeanne' could beat them, though they are
fast boats; but they are heavier than we are, and can carry their
sail longer; besides, our being underhanded is against us.
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