"Of what ship, messmate?"

"Very true, I began in the middle. Well, it was in the ship I now
belongs to, the 'Oudacious'--we were with the squadron off Ferrol;
signal made to chase southeast--clapped every stitch on her after two
gun-boats who were running down in-shore. Light winds--got well in for
the land, and then it fell calm. Gun-boats four miles off using their
sweeps--our boats in chase--I was coxswain of the first pinnace--a
devilish fast boat, messmate, I can tell you, with a smart brass
gun--pulled two feet to their one, and came up with them
hand-over-hand--both cutters and the other pinnace well up with us--the
old launch half a mile astern. Now you see, sir, I've got the picture
for you, haven't I?"

"Just exactly," replied old Ben.

"Well, then, it was a long pull; and that reminds me that I'll have a
long pull now, so hand me the porter, messmate." My father took a
tremendous long pull at the pewter, and then handing it to Ben, he
recommenced:

"We were soon within gun-shot, and they turned their heads toward us and
blazed away: very pretty shot they fired, for they cut away three of our
starboard oars before we were near enough to return the fire with our
small gun. However, the second pinnace and cutters came up and shared
the shot with us; and at last the old fat launch came grunting along,
for all the world like an old board, pitching into them round and grape.
Now the first lieutenant was in the launch, and, of course, commanded,
and he ordered the boats to separate more, which was very right, as it
divided the shot; and then he passed the word that when he sounded the