eight p.m.
The action lasted three hours , and proved to be the first engagement of the war , much to the gratification of Mr Sennitt , who was intensely anxious for the distinction of sending in the first prize . The first duty was of course to secure possession , after which , the weather appearing likely to continue fine , the hands were piped to dinner -- such dinner , that is , as could be procured on the spur of the moment , the galley fire having been extinguished at the time of clearing for action . Captain Brisac allowed an hour for this meal and a little repose , at the expiration of which all hands were set to work to clear away the wreck and repair damages , a task which kept us busy until considerably after sunset . By eight p.m. , however , our preparations were complete , a prize crew was placed on board the `` Sans-Culotte , '' and a nice little breeze having in the meantime sprung up from the westward , we made sail in company , shaping a course for Plymouth , off which we arrived about noon the next day . The prize , now being safe from all chance of recapture , was sent in , while the `` Scourge , '' hauling her wind upon the starboard tack , reached off the land on her way back to her appointed cruising-ground . On the following day , about an hour before the time for serving dinner in the cabin , Patterson , the captain 's steward , popped his head in at the door of the midshipmen 's berth and announced , -- `` Captain 's compliments , and he will be glad to have the pleasure of Mr Chester 's company at dinner . '' `` Tell Captain Brisac with my compliments that I am much obliged for his courteous invitation , which I accept with very great pleasure , '' I responded , looking up from the `` Day 's Work '' upon which I was busy with my slate and pencil .