258 AN ADVENTURE AT SEA. 



" It is a small black schooner, all legs and arms," replied Mr. 

 Maintopgallant ; " and she is bearing down for us under a press 

 of sail ! Now she runs up a flag, which you can make out from 

 tiie deck with the glass ; and, by the flash and the smoke she 

 makes, she has just fired a gun ! " 



Presently a dull, heavy report came booming on the breeze, and 

 a thundering sound echoed against the side of the ship. The 

 glass was bent upon the approaching schooner, whose hull had 

 not yet entirely risen out of the water. Her flag was found to 

 be French ! 



" Steward — call the captain ! *' cried tlie mate, in alarm : 

 ** Forward, there ! — call all hands on deck — stand by to put the 

 ship about! " 



** Ay, ay, sir ! " echoed along the deck, and every sailor stood 

 ready at his post for prompt action. 



Sethand Jethro now appeared on deck, wondering not a little 

 at the uncommon stir on board, and surprised to find every man 

 ready, whenever the word should be given, to put the ship on a 

 new direction. 



"What does all this mean, mate?*' demanded the captain; 

 " why would'st thou change the course of the ship? '^ 



" I did not intend to do so without your concurrence," replied- 

 the mate; " but I thought it best to have every thing ready for 

 prompt manoeuvring. VVe have a suspicious-looking sail on our 

 weather-bow, and she shows French colors. By the rake of her 

 masts, I should not be surprised to find her a clipper, with a 

 long-tom amidships; for she has given us a gun already." 



" Rather a dangerous neighbour for us, surely," said the cap- 

 tain, '* especially if she should prove one of those piratical rascals 

 that sometimes cut up our commerce. Keep her away, and see 

 if she follows us," continued he lowering the point of his glass. 



Away went the Grampus with a free wind, snorting, as it were 

 like a race-horse, and ploughing handsomely through the seas 

 on her altered way. 



The Frenchman steered for, and gained gradually and steadily 

 upon, the Grampus ; and the event was most anxiously looked 

 for by all on board. The ship, deeply laden as she was with oil, 

 was of great value, and, as Seth thought, eminently worth pre- 

 serving. But the Frenchmen were determined she sliould change 

 owners, — for tliey managed their little craft with great skill, and 

 altered their course in chase, whenever Macy changed his. The 

 breeze was brisk, and suited the schooner to a crack ; while the 



