About noon
`` I have no time to return the compliment . If I can only keep clear of you till dark , I will weather you yet . '' The poor little Dolphin glided away beautifully , and proved that she well merited her good character ; for , after some hours ' chase , the privateer had gained but little upon us ; but still there appeared no chance of our escaping in the long run . About noon , the enemy was within range , and no sooner made the discovery , than she began blazing away with her bow-guns , in hopes of disabling us ; but fortune , for once in her life , favoured the weaker party . The privateer 's shot riddled our sails ; but our spars and hull were as yet unharmed , when a well-aimed shot from one of our stern-chasers went through her fore-topgallantsail , and struck the mast just above the cap . Three cheers burst from our gallant crew , as they saw her small masts first bend , then fall forward together before the foretopsail , dragging with them the main-royal and skysail masts . The sailing of the two vessels was so nearly equal , that we now had a decided advantage over the enemy , which Captain Driver did all in his power to make the most of .