"After our performance of last night," said I, "I think we need have no fear as to our ability to overhaul that brigantine.  But I want to do more than that; I want not only to overhaul her, but also to eat out to windward of her, so cutting off her escape in that direction.  And, to accomplish this, and thus bring her the sooner to action, if she means to fight, we must have a thoroughly good man at the tiller, one who will let her go along clean full, yet at the same time coax and humour the little barkie every inch to windward that he can."