Arthur Conan Doyle

“ In a few minutes, without fuss or sound, the sailors were knotted round their guns, the marines were drawn up and leaning on their muskets, and the frigate's bowsprit pointed straight for her little victim.
"Is it the 'Slapping Sal,' sir?"
"I have no doubt of it, Mr. Wharton."
"They don't seem to like the look of us, sir. They've cut their cable and are clapping on sail."
It was evident that the brig meant struggling for her freedom. One little patch of canvas fluttered out above an other, and her people could be seeu working like mad men in the rigging. ”

“ The English marines and seamen, waiting with cutlass and musket behind the silent guns, saw with amazement the dark masses thinning and shredding away. At the same time the port broadside of the Frenchman burst into a roar.
"Clear away the wreck !" roared the captain. "What the devil are they firing at ?"
"Get the guns clear!" panted the lieutenant. "We'll do them yet, boys !" ”

“ They're running! They're running!"
And it was true. The Frenchman had ceased to fire, and was intent only upon clapping on every sail that she could carry.
But that shouting hundred could not claim it all as their own. As the smoke cleared, it was not difficult to see the reason. The ships had gained the mouth of the estuary during the fight, and there, about four miles out to sea, was the "Leda's" consort bearing down under full sail to the sound of the guns. ”

“ Swarms of men set the head-sails and brought the frigate round, while the gun-crews threw off their jackets and shirts, tightened their belts, and ran out their eighteen-pounders, peering throngh the open portholes at the stately Frenchman. ”

“ But the captain was furious. "He may hang where his breeches are hanging before I have done with him," said he. "What boats will you want, Mr. Wharton ?"
"We should do it with the launch and the jolly-boat."
"Take four and make a clean job of it. Pipe away the crews at once, and I'll work her in and help you with the long eighteens." ”

“ She is a small brig carrying ten light guns, with one twenty-four pound carronade forward. She was last seen upon the 23d ult., to the north-east of the island of Sombriero." (Signed) JAMES MONTGOMERY, Rear-Admiral. H. M. S. "Colossus," Antigua. "We appear to have lost our consort," said Captain Johnson, folding up his instructions and again sweeping the horizon with his glass. "She drew away after we reefed down. It would be a pity if we met this heavy Frenchman without the 'Dido,' Mr. Wharton, eh ?"
The lieutenant twinkled and smiled. ”