The frigates continued to gain on the _Dolphin_. Captain Podgers was in
a great state of agitation, dreading the punishment which the Spaniards
would justly inflict on us for the injuries we had done them, especially
when they found on board the articles we had carried away from the
church. "If there was only one of them, I would fight her gladly, and,
big as she is, we would beat her, too," exclaimed the captain, as he
paced the deck, eyeing the enemy through his spy-glass; and, to do him
justice, he was a brave man and not a bad sailor, although he had few
other good qualities.
Miss Kitty looked very pale, not from fear of herself, but she dreaded
the danger to which those on deck would be exposed.
The wind increased and the sea got up: still we carried on, though our
masts and spars bent and cracked. The sails were wetted--hammocks were
slung, and men with shot got into them--indeed, every device was used to
increase the speed of the ship. After a time, we appeared to be holding
our own, if not drawing a little ahead of the enemy.
As evening approached, the wind dropped, and we could see the sails of
the frigates hanging against the masts. Ours soon afterwards collapsed,
and we lay perfectly becalmed. Some of the men forward expressed their
opinion that the Spaniards would attack as with their boats.
"Little fear of that," said Dick; "they know us too well to wish to come
to close quarters. We should have a much better chance of taking them,
if we were to try it. I don't know if the captain will think of doing
that."
Darkness now came down upon us and shut out the enemy from sight. The
captain might have expected an attack to be made on us by the frigates'
boats, for he ordered a bright look-out to be kept. Boarding-netting
was triced up; the men wore their cutlasses at their sides and pistols
in their belts, and pikes were placed ready for use.
Miss Kitty had come on deck, and, seeing me at a little distance, called
me to her.
"If there is to be more of that dreadful work, you must come and stay
with me, Charley, as before," she said. "I cannot let you risk your
young life; you must promise me now."