'There's enough of us, sir,' observed the boatswain. 'Yes,' replied Cain, 'if there was anything but hard blows to be got; but that is all, and I cannot spare more men. Ready about!' continued he, walking aft. The _Enterprise_, for she was the vessel in pursuit, was then about five miles distant, steering for the _Avenger_, who was on a wind. As soon as the _Avenger_ tacked, the _Enterprise_ took in her topmast studding-sail, and hauled her wind. This brought the _Enterprise_ well on the weather-quarter of the _Avenger_, who now made all sail. The pirates, who had had quite enough of fighting, and were not stimulated by the presence of Hawkhurst, or the wishes of their captain, now showed as much anxiety to avoid as they usually did to seek a combat. At the first trial of sailing between the two schooners there was no perceptible difference; for half an hour they both continued on a wind, and when Edward Templemore examined his sextant a second time, he could not perceive that he had gained upon the _Avenger_ one cable's length. 'We will keep away half a point,' said Edward to his second in command. 'We can afford that, and still hold the weather-gage.' The _Enterprise_ was kept away, and increased her speed: they neared the _Avenger_ more than a quarter of a mile. 'They are nearing us,' observed Francisco; 'we must keep away a point.' Away went the _Avenger_, and would have recovered her distance, but the _Enterprise_ was again steered more off the wind. Thus did they continue altering their course until the studding-sails below and aloft were set by both, and the position of the schooners was changed; the _Enterprise_ now being on the starboard instead of the larboard quarter of the _Avenger_. The relative distance between the two schooners was, however, nearly the same, that is, about three miles and a half from each other; and there was every prospect of a long and weary chase on the part of the _Enterprise_, who again kept away a point to near the _Avenger_. Both vessels were now running to the eastward. It was about an hour before dark that another sail hove in sight right ahead of the _Avenger_, and was clearly made out to be a frigate. The pirates were alarmed at this unfortunate circumstance, as there was little doubt but that she would prove a British cruiser; and, if not, they had equally reason to expect that she would assist in their capture. She had evidently perceived the two schooners, and had made all sail, tacking every quarter of an hour so as to keep her relative position. The _Enterprise_, who had also made out the frigate, to attract her attention, though not within range of the _Avenger_, commenced firing with her long gun. 'This is rather awkward,' observed Cain. 'It will be dark in less than an hour,' observed Francisco; 'and that is our only chance.' Cain reflected a minute.