_Sum._ Madam, you may command me--Not to molest the Company with the Recital of every vain and needless Circumstance; 'twas briefly thus. Scarce had we passed by _Marget_ on our Course, when on a sudden, from the Top-mast head, a Sailer cries, All hands Aloft, three Sails ahead: With that we rumidg and clear our Deck, our Gun-room arm'd, and all things now are ready for a Fight. The Ships before descried, with warlike Stems cut the resisting Waves, whilst from their Pendants fluttering in the Air, we found they were three _Dunkirk_ Privateers; they having made our English Cross advanced, salute us with a Broad-side, to make us strike and yield: But we, who ne're knew as yet what 'twas so cowardly to yield, and not regarding their unequal Odds, fell boldly on, returning Fire for Fire. The Engagement then grew desperate, for they on either Side fired in amain, whilst we withstood their Force. At length they boldly grappled, and laid us close aboard, and we as bravely beat them off again. _Mer._ But now, Daughter, mark what follows, for that's worth all, I'faith it is; therefore go on, dear Cuz, go on. _Sum._ Sea-room at length we got; when (as Fate wou'd have it) an unlucky Shot struck both the Captain and Lieutenant dead. Then we began to fear, and all our noble Hearts were trembling with despair. _Mer._ No, no, not all Daughter--But you shall hear more--Ods bobs you shall. _Sum._ How cou'd it be otherwise, when both our Commanders now were lost? therefore to strike was all the Talk---- _Mer._ Ay, ay, now Daughter, now comes the Play, the other was only the Prologue. _Sum._ But Fortune favouring, and the Wind springing a fresh Gale, we got clear off and try'd to make a running Fight. _Mer._ Ay, but Cuz, how did we do all this? by whose Order and Direction? _Sum._ Pardon me, Sir, 'twas of so small Moment, that already it has slipt my treacherous Memory. _Mer._ Oh, ho! has it so! Ha, ha, ha! But it has not mine, I thank you, no marry has it not, as you shall hear--Then he, with an undaunted Spirit, started up amongst the Sailers, and---- _Sum._ Nay pray Sir---- _Mer._ By the Foot of _Pharaoh_ I'll not be balkt; he, I say, with an Heroick Voice cried out, Courage brave boys, Charge and Discharge amain; come I'll supply your fall'n Captain's place. At this blest News they all fell on again, with ten thousand times more Fury than before: Victory, Victory, was all their cry, whilst he my Cousin here, whom I shall ne're forget, for by the Lord, methinks, I see him in the Fight this very Instant, now running this way, now running that way, now down to the Gun-room to encourage those that fought there; now upon the Deck again, still crying out, Fear not, brave Boys, the Day will soon be our's. _Sum._ O pray, Sir, let me intreat you to forbear, you make me ashamed, I protest, to hear you. _Mer._ Ashamed, say you? Ha, ha, ha! _Ara._ Good Sir, go on.