"I told him that must depend on what the Spaniards knew about the brig. It wasn't likely that two men-of-war could be frightened off by a merchantman, though we had four guns and might put a bold face on the matter. "The other midshipmen now came forward, and stood with us watching the strangers. There was a chance, but only just a chance, that we should escape them. The skipper and the mates seemed to be in a great taking. The corvette was coming up fast, and the brig of war not far astern of her, carrying all the sail they could set. "The breeze still held, the corvette by this time was about a mile and a half away on our starboard bow; the skipper began to look as if we should do it, and I thought so too, when, just then, our sails began to hang down, and presently flapped loudly against the masts; the skipper gave a stamp with his foot on the deck, and swore a loud oath. There we lay becalmed, while the corvette and brig still felt the wind off the land. "`It's all up with us, I'm afraid,' said I to Mr Rogers. "`It's high time to show our teeth,' he answered. "`Captain Crowhurst, you'll fight those fellows if they attempt to board us, won't you?' he said, going up to the skipper. `If you will run all the guns over to starboard we can give them a broadside which ten to one will make them sheer off rather than get a further taste of our quality.' "The skipper smiled grimly. `But suppose they don't sheer off; depend on it they will cut the throats of every one of us when they come aboard. What do you say to that, my young gentleman?' "`I'd run the risk rather than let the ruffians take the vessel from us,' answered Mr Rogers, turning away to speak to the colonel, who had that moment come on deck. He looked up at the canvas hanging idly down against the masts, and then at the strangers still creeping up towards us. "The wind was leaving them as it had us, and he saw in a moment how matters stood. "Mr Rogers told him that he and the other midshipmen were ready to fight and defend the brig to the last. "`You're brave lads,' he answered. `I thank you heartily. If Captain Crowhurst thinks there's a chance of beating them off we'll risk it, but otherwise, for the sake of my daughter, it would be dangerous to make the attempt.' "`It's for her sake, sir, that we are anxious to fight,' answered Mr Rogers. "`Captain Crowhurst, will your crew support you?' asked the colonel of the skipper, who had just gone up to him. "`I doubt it,' he answered. `The fellows are brave enough, but the odds are fearfully against us. I'll speak to them, and learn what humour they are in.' "You'll understand I'd gone aft with the midshipmen. The skipper went forward, and we saw him speaking to the crew, who were clustered together, talking among each other.