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In an instant she heeled over, and the close reefed mizen-topsail was blown from the bolt ropes. The helm being put up, she, however, righted, and away she flew before the hissing and foaming sea, which now rose up on either side as if eager to overwhelm her. "We must furl the main-topsail," exclaimed Mr Grey, as soon as the yards were squared.
At the same moment the crew throwing themselves out on the fore-topsail yard, that sail was quickly reefed. "You must take another reef in it, Mr Matson," said the commander, "closely reef it, or that mast will go also." The mizen-topsail with greater ease was closely reefed.
While cruising off Porto Rico, as the crew were reefing top-sails, the captain shouted that he would flog the last man off the mizen-topsail yard. Two, in their attempt to spring over their comrades' backs, missing their hold, fell on the quarter-deck and were killed. The captain, it is said, on seeing it, merely observed, "Throw the lubbers overboard."
Captain Milius, though ordered to avoid an action, believing that victory was certain, backed his mizen-topsail and kept his main-topsail shivering to allow the British ship to come up with him. The stranger was the Phoenix, and which was not only a smaller frigate, but Captain Baker had disguised her to resemble at a distance a sloop of war.
The ever-to-be-lamented Captain Pownoll received a wound through his body about an hour after the action commenced, when standing at the gangway. The enemy had then suffered much, having lost the yard-arms of both his lower yards, and had no sails drawing but his foresail, main-top-gallant-sail, and mizen-topsail, the others flying about.
With speaking-trumpet in hand, and holding on by the weather-rail, he ordered the mizen-topsail to be furled.
"Yes, there is a square patch on her mizen-topsail to repair a hole which I doubt not an enemy's shot had made, as she was showing her heels in the fashion the picaroons always do, unless they hope to make a prize of some unwary merchantman." The commander, on hearing this, took the telescope. "Yes," he said.
Bill and Tommy Rebow sprang up the mizen rigging, as they were both in the mizen-top, and were soon lying out on the mizen-topsail yard. They were both in high spirits, feeling up to anything at the moment. One of the older topmen was in the lee-earing. Bill was next to him. Tommy came next. Suddenly the ship gave a tremendous lurch. There was a cry.
"Now, Mr Hardy, we'll make her all snug for the night. Furl the fore and mizen-topsail, and close-reef the main that, with the foresail, fore-staysail, and trysail, will be enough for her." "Had we not better reef the foresail, sir?" said Pearce. "I suspect we shall have to do it before twelve o'clock, if we do not now." "Very right, Mr Pearce we will do so. Is the main-trysail bent?"
"Now, aloft to the mizen-topsail," cried the mate; "we must have every stitch of canvas off her before the wind reaches us; for, depend upon it, it is in no playful mood." The mate and Gerald sprang up the rigging, and getting hold of the bunt of the sail, quickly furled it.
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