noon
Everybody who had any right to an opinion , was satisfied the brig was a French cruiser , either public or private . The Tigris was a fast ship , and she was under top-mast and top-gallant studding-sails at the time , going about seven knots . The brig was on an easy bowline , evidently looking up for our wake , edging off gradually as we drew ahead . She went about nine knots , and bade fair to close with us by noon . There was a good deal of doubt , aft , as to the course we ought to pursue . It was decided in the end , however , to shorten sail and let the brig come up , as being less subject to cavils , than to seem to avoid her . Captain Digges got out his last letters from home , and I saw him showing them to Captain Robbins , the two conning them over with great earnestness .