So then return'd on board in haste, fresh orders for to get;
Says he, "It is a spanking ship, I'm sure that she has slaves,
And bears from sacred house and home, the wretches o'er the waves."

"Oh! very well!" our captain cries, "for her we will lie by,
And on the morrow's coming dawn, a palaver we will try;
For should we now attempt to make a pell-mell night attack,
I fear our fight would heavy fall upon the harmless black."

So early the next morning, we gently edged away,
Our captain hail'd the stranger ship, and unto her did say--
"If you don't send your boat on board, and act as I desire,
Although you bear the flag of Spain, into your hull I'll fire."

The Slaver swore that all our threats should not his courage scare,
And that th' assault of such a sloop was quite beneath his care:
Our captain calls, "Stand by, my lads! and when I give the word,
We slap off two smart broadsides, and run her right on board."

The signal then was given, a rattler we let fly,
And many a gloomy Spaniard upon her decks did die:
"Now fire again! my British boys, repeat the precious dose,
For round and grape, when plied so well, they cannot long oppose."

Now peals the roar of battle strife, now British hearts expand,
And now the anxious sailor pants to combat hand to hand;
With grapnels and with hawsers, we lash'd her to our beam,
Although the muzzles of our guns did o'er our bulwarks gleam.

"Away, my men!" the captain cries, "'tis just the time to board,"