324
NAVAL YARNS
were on the station, they were totally out of the question, on account of their bad sailing. The Black Joke put to sea that evening, proceeded to the Old Calabar, and commenced a strict blockade of that port, anchoring every night at the mouth of the river, weighing before daylight, and running out with the land breeze far enough not to be seen from the shore. This plan was practised until Monday, April the 25th, when, about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, a large brig was seen from the mast-head, under all sail, standing out of the river ; the Black Joke's topsails were immediately lowered, by which means the stranger was within sight from the deck, before he made out who his antagonist was. He then altered his course from steering directly down, and kept away so as to cross the tender's bow, and pass between Fernando Po and the main. All sail was now made in chase, and every requisite preparation for a severe contest, in doing which a spirit was evinced, both by the officers and men, that left no doubt as to the resuit, whatever might be the enemy's superiority of force. The Spaniard sailed so well that it was nine o'clock at night before the Black Joke could get within range of the slaver ; indeed, if he had not been becalmed under the lee of Fernando Po, it is very doubtful whether he would not have made his escape. A shot, however, was now fired ahead of him, as a signal to bring to, which he immediately returned by three of his broadside guns, and the wind fell so