There is also a pirate-ketch converging on them from leeward, in much the same way as the schooner is doing from windward, and Daniel is fairly certain that this ketch doesn't suck much at all. He is certain he saw drogues trailing behind her. Minerva is lying dead upon the wind, which is to say, she's as close-hauled as possible – she can fall off to leeward but she cannot turn into the wind any farther. Since the ketch is to leeward – downwind of Minerva :falling away from the wind will send Minerva straight into the musket-fire and grappling-irons that are no doubt being readied on her decks and fighting-tops. But the ketch, being fore-and-aft rigged, can sail closer to the wind anyway. So even if Minerva holds her course, the ketch will be able to cut her off – driving her into the sucking (because heavily armed) schooner.