MT FIRST VOYAGE. Ill 



voy. It was a fine day, and the other Hull vessels had gradually 

 edged away, and were already some distance off, when the skipper 

 ordered the helm up, and, as soon as we had run down to the Asia, 

 hailed the captain, who was standing on the poop. " Good bye. 

 Captain Stewart; can I take any letters for England; I think with 

 this wind we shall be m Hull before you get to Cork ?" 



" Good bye, if you will go," said he, " but I think you are foolish 

 to leave us." 



We soon joined our consorts, and proceeded merrily along together 

 till we got into the channel, where it came on to blow rather hard 

 from the westward, and the night being exceedingly thick, we lost 

 sight of the other vessels, and next morning none of them were 

 visible. However, as the wind was fair, and scarcely sufficient to 

 make it dangerous, we did not think much of the matter, calculating 

 upon being soon at home. 



Towards evening we reduced our canvas, and made all snug for 

 the night, which came on dark and stormy, the gale having rather 

 increased. About twelve o'clock, one of the crew suddenly called 

 out " A lugger on the larboard quarter." Captain Turner was standing 

 near the companion, and a single look sufficing to make him acquainted 

 with her character, he sprang below to secure the sailing directions, 

 which were kept under his pillow. By some chance or other, how- 

 ever, a boatswain's call had come into his possession, and happened to 

 hang at the head of his bed. Upon seeing this a happy thought 

 struck him, and seizing the call with one hand and the instructions 

 with the other, hastened upon deck, and instantly blew the pipe used 

 on board a man of war to call all hands to quarters, and ordered 

 the helm hard a starboard. The ruse took admirably, for the French- 

 man, who seemed just to have discovered us, and was approaching 

 to board, instantly followed our manoeuvre, and made off as fast as 

 sails would drag him. We fired our guns after him, and made a 

 show of following, but as soon as he had got completely out of sight, 

 we resumed our course, packed on her all the sail she would carry, 

 put out all the lights, and made the best of our way homewards. 

 Next morning there was nothing visible, and we congratulated our- 

 selves, as much as the Frenchman doubtless did, upon the narrow 

 escape, vowing that the captain was a regular trump, and laughing 

 heartily at his impudence. Three days afterwards we were in the 



