We had better run a-head, repair damages,
and then he must surrender, in his crippled state, when we attack him
again."
"I agree with you," said Thompson; "the only point is, that it will soon
be dark."
"I'll not lose sight of him, and he cannot get away. If he puts before
the wind, then we will be at him again."
We gave him the loaded guns as we forged a-head, and when we were about
half a mile from him, hove-to to repair damages.
The reader may now ask, "But where was the captain all this time?" My
answer is, that he was at the capstern, where he stood in silence, not
once interfering during the whole action, which was fought by Thompson,
the master, and myself. How he looked, or how he behaved in other points
during the engagement, I cannot pretend to say, for I had no time to
observe him. Even now I was busy knotting the rigging, rousing up new
sails to bend, and getting everything in order, and I should not have
observed him, had he not come up to me; for as soon as we had ceased
firing he appeared to recover himself. He did not, however, first
address me; he commenced speaking to the men.
"Come, be smart, my lads; send a hand here to swab up the blood. Here,
youngster, run down to the surgeon, and let him know that I wish a
report of the killed and wounded."
By degrees he talked more, and at last came up to me, "This has been
rather smartish, Mr Simple."
"Very smart indeed, sir," replied I, and then turned away to give
directions.
Pages:
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608