DIARY OF CAPTAIN LAMSON 217 



afternoon. It appeared they had signaled 

 us on the opposite side, so that at three, 

 when I made sail, I could number eleven 

 privateers watching for us ; nine were small 

 and two were large. I called my officers 

 and men and told them our fate, and that 

 our only chance was to prevent our yards 

 and booms with braces, and carry sail and 

 take our chances, not minding their shots. 

 We out all sail and, blowing heavy, she 

 troubled the watch and the man at the helm 

 a great deal. Very shortly two of them were 

 alongside within hail, firing and hullooing. 

 I took no notice of them and in a few mo- 

 ments nine of them fell astern, all firing 

 when they could. Our prospect now looked 

 fair and, when in an hour I expected to be 

 clear, what was my mortification to find 

 the wind die and my rate of going reduced 

 to about five knots. The two large priva- 

 teers were ahead and prepared for me, and 

 so uneasy when they thought that I should 

 pass them, that they placed themselves on 

 each bow and boarded me all standing, 



