Again the people were called up and the guns cast loose; the powder was handed up, and all was preparation. I did not think, however, that the passengers appeared at all zealous; but that I was not surprised at: the captain harangued them, calling them Britons, etc., and, hoping that they would show what stuff they were made of; talked about the honor of Old England, and a great deal more, and then examined the vessel again with his glass. "We'll give her the starboard broadside, and then wear round his stern and give her the other. Hoist the colors!" As soon as we hoisted the colors, the schooner hoisted English colors also. "English colors, sir!" said the mate, grinning. "English colors, heh? Very well; but that may be a feint--keep to your guns, my lads." The vessel now ran by us; she was deeply laden, and as broad as she was long. "No privateer this time, captain," said Bramble, laughing. "No, all's right; secure the guns, my lads. We'd have given her a nice peppering if she'd been a French privateer." The captain then went down below to put away his sword and pistols, which the cabin-boy had brought on deck. "It's my opinion, Tom," said Bramble, "that this skipper ain't quite so fond of fighting as he pretends to be. I'll see if I can't frighten him a little." As soon as the captain came on deck again, Bramble said, "We'll go about, if you please." "What! about already? why, we're good three leagues from the shore." "Yes, sir, but the tide has made, and we must now make a long stretch-out toward the French coast. We won't tack again till about dark." "Not tack till dark, pilot? Surely we will do better keeping on the English coast." "No, no, sir; if we were not so well manned and so well armed I should do it; but, as we are a match for any privateer, why, we may as well make a long leg--we shall be up Channel sooner." "Well, I don't know what to say. I've a heavy responsibility with such a valuable cargo." "Well, tack if you please, sir," said Bramble, shortly. "Oh, certainly. Hands, about ship." The vessel's head was put off-shore, and with a smart breeze we walked away fast from the land. At twelve o'clock the captain proposed standing inshore again, but Bramble refused. At three o'clock he became very uneasy, and expostulated with Bramble, who replied, "Well, sir, I'm doing all for the best, but if you are afraid--" "Afraid?" cried the captain; "afraid of what, I should like to know? No, I'm not afraid, but it appears to me that we ought to make the land again before night." "I'll answer for knowing where we are, sir, if that is your reason; at all events, I wish to stand out till six o'clock." "Well, do so, then, if you choose--I'm sure I don't care if you stand to within gunshot of the French coast;" and the captain, evidently very much annoyed, went down into the cabin.