Captain M--- considered it his duty at all risks to destroy the proa; and, hoisting out the boats, he gave the command to his first-lieutenant, with strict injunctions how to deal with such treacherous and ferocious enemies. The launch was under repair at the time, and could not be employed; but the barge, pinnace, and two cutters were considered fully adequate to the service. Courtenay was second in command, in the pinnace; Seymour had charge of one cutter; and at his own particular request, Prose was entrusted with the other. "I do declare, I think that I should like to go," observed Prose, when he first heard that the vessel was to be cut out. "Why, you ought, Prose," replied Seymour; "you have never been on service yet." "No--and you and I are the only two passed midshipmen in the ship." (Seymour and Prose had both passed their examination, when the _Aspasia_ was at Bombay.) "I think that I have a right to one of the boats." So thought the first-lieutenant, when he made his application, and he obtained the command accordingly. The boats shoved off as soon as the men had swallowed their breakfasts, and in less than an hour were but a short distance from the proa, which proved to be one of the largest size. A discharge of langrage from one of the two long brass guns, mounted on her prow, flew amongst the boats, without taking effect. A second discharge was more destructive, three of the men in the boat which Prose commanded being struck down bleeding under the thwarts--the oars, which they had not relinquished their hold of when they fell, being thrown high up in air. "Halloa! I say--All catching crabs together!" cried Prose. "Caught something worse than a crab, sir," replied the coxswain--"Wilson, are you much hurt?" "The rascals have let daylight in, I'm afraid," answered the man, faintly. "Well, I do declare I'd no idea the poor fellows were wounded. Coxswain, take one of the oars, and I'll steer the boat, or we shall never get alongside. I say, Mr Jolly, can't you pull?" "Yes, sir, upon a pinch," answered the marine whom he addressed, laying his musket on the stern-sheets, and taking one of the unmanned oars. "Well, there now, give way."