"What else could he have counted on doin'? He was takin' the chances of gettin' the advantage in some way; but his consort didn't keep quite as near as he'd have liked, an' then when the ship was taken aback, he found himself at our mercy. If he wasn't up to mischief, why should he have come so close alongside before luffin'? Captain Porter wouldn't be fooled by the fine words thrown aboard the _Essex_ when the Britisher was quakin' in his boots; but he acted the gentleman, as sailors always should, an' I ain't the man to blame him, though I do wish he could have seen it in his way to rake the _Phoebe_ when she'd come into such a beautiful position for the work!" The people aboard the _Essex Junior_ were in quite as high a state of excitement as were we. When word was passed for the boarders, Lieutenant Downes began warping his ship alongside the frigate in order that he might have a hand in the scrimmage, and now the _Junior_ was so near that we could talk in whispers to her crew, who still overhung the rail. I suppose Captain Porter knew full well how disappointed our people were because of having lost such a fine opportunity. He went below, calling some of the lieutenants after him, and it is in my mind that he did so simply in order that our old shellbacks might have a chance to ease their hearts by hard words. The Britishers were at anchor, therefore all hands knew we would not have an encounter for some time to come; and after each man had talked himself hoarse over the matter, we began to turn our attention to other things. Phil and I were eager to learn if Benson would be kept safely on board the _Junior_, and questioned some of her men regarding the villain. "Don't worry your heads about him," one of the crew replied with a grin. "We've got no bloomin' marines here, an' every man jack of us has it well in mind that he's to get what's due him this time. He'll stay where he is until we make the home port, unless it so be that some of his friends overhaul us." "Is there a brig aboard the _Junior_?" I asked. "We've got what answers much the same purpose. He's ironed, an' made fast to a stanchion." "How long are you to keep him?" "Until you've given that Britisher the floggin' he deserves, an' ought to have had half an hour ago. Don't fear the Yankee-seller will give us the slip; an' if you're feelin' lonesome on his account, come aboard an' see him now an' then." "No, thank you, we've had all we want of that fellow, although we'd rather take him on board if there's any chance of his getting overboard in the harbor," I replied with a laugh, feeling much relieved in mind at knowing that we were not to be burdened with him again immediately.