In the meantime Edward Templemore and those on board of the _Enterprise_, who, by the course steered, had gradually neared them, perceiving the motions of the two other vessels, were quite puzzled. At one time they thought they had made a mistake, and that it was not the pirate vessel; at another they surmised that the crew had mutinied and surrendered to the frigate. Edward hauled his wind, and steered directly for them, to ascertain what the real facts were. The captain of the frigate, who had never lost sight of either vessel, was equally astonished at the boldness of the supposed pirate. 'Surely the rascal does not intend to board us?' said he to the first lieutenant. 'There is no saying, sir; you know what a character he has; and some say there are three hundred men on board, which is equal to our ship's company. Or perhaps, sir, he will pass to windward of us, and give us a broadside, and be off in the wind's eye again.' 'At all events we will have a broadside ready for him,' replied the captain. 'Clear away the starboard guns, and take out the tompions. Pipe starboard watch to quarters.' The _Enterprise_ closed with the frigate to windward, intending to run round her stern and bring to on the same tack. 'He does not shorten sail yet, sir,' said the first lieutenant, as the schooner appeared skimming along about a cable's length on their weather bow. 'And she is full of men, sir,' said the master, looking at her through the night-glass. 'Fire a gun at her!' said the captain. Bang! The smoke cleared away, and the schooner's foretopsail, which she was in the act of clewing up, lay over her side. The shot had struck the foremast of the _Enterprise_, and cut it in two below the catharpings. The _Enterprise_ was, for the time, completely disabled. 'Schooner ahoy! What schooner is that?' 'His Majesty's schooner _Enterprise_.' 'Send a boat on board immediately.' 'Ay, ay, sir.' 'Turn the hands up! Shorten sail!' The top-gallant and courses of the frigate were taken in, and the mainsail hove to the mast. 'Signalman, whereabouts is that other schooner now?' 'The schooner, sir? On the quarter,' replied the signalman, who, with everybody else on board, was so anxious about the _Enterprise_ that they had neglected to watch the motions of the supposed American. The man had replied at random, and he now jumped upon the signal-chests abaft to look for her. But she was not to be seen. Cain, who had watched all that passed between the other two vessels, and had been prepared to slip off at a moment's warning, as soon as the gun was fired at the other schooner, had wore round and made all sail on a wind. The night-glass discovered her half a mile astern; and the ruse was immediately perceived. The frigate filled and made sail, leaving Edward to return on board--for there was no time to stop for the boat--tacked, and gave chase. But the _Avenger_ was soon in the wind's eye of her; and at daylight was no longer to be seen.