Without the Utmost Pertinacity

The Bellone went straight for the Néréide, as though to run her aboard; but just before they touched the Bellone put her helm hard down and shot by. For a moment the two frigates were yardarm to yardarm, almost touching: both broadsides crashed out together, and when the smoke cleared, the Bellone was well beyond the Néréide, running on, still under her topgallantsails, for the second sharp turn in the channel, apparently undamaged.— Patrick O’Brian, The Mauritius Command

Blows had not yet been struck. None would be, which is often the case when older men in golf shirts start yelling at one another. But, at the time, hostilities appeared inevitable. We were well within spray range of each other, yardarm to yardarm, you could say.

Now look. I’m not saying that all fiercely conservative conservatives are a few jibs short of fully rigged...