unity
from punishment for their nefarious deeds. Such unheard-of audacity was
more than enough to excite their anger to the pitch of frenzy, and they
fought like demons, not only for revenge, but also for the salvation of
the schooner. But if these were the motives which spurred them on to
the encounter, their adversaries were actuated by incentives of a still
higher character. They fought for the life and liberty, not only of
themselves, but also of the weak defenceless women, whose only trust
under God was in them; and if the pirates rushed furiously to the onset,
they were met with a cool, determined resolution, which was more than a
balance for overpowering numbers. Captain Staunton looked eagerly among
the crowd of ruffianly faces for that of Ralli, determined to avenge
with his own hand the multitudinous wrongs and insults which this man
had heaped upon him and his dearest ones; but the Greek was nowhere to
be seen. On the skipper's right was Lance, and on his left Dickinson,
the former fully occupying the attention of at least three opponents by
the marvellous play of his cutlass-blade, whilst the latter brandished
with terrible effect a heavy crow-bar which he had hurriedly snatched up
on being summoned to the fight. Rex and Brook were both working wonders
also. Bowles was fighting as only a true British seaman _can_ fight in
a good cause; and Dale, with a courage which excited his own most lively
surprise, was handling his cutlass and pistol as though he had used the
weapons all his life. Steadily, and inch by inch, the pirates were
driven back in spite of their superior numbers; and at last, after a
fight of some twenty minutes, they finally broke and fled before a
determined charge of their adversaries, rushing headlong to their boats
and leaving their dead and wounded behind them.

Captain Staunton did not follow them up, although the two whale-boats
still lay moored at the landing as they had left them. He was anxious
to avail himself of the advantage already gained in making good the
escape of his own party rather than to risk further losses by an attempt
to inflict additional punishment upon his adversaries. Besides, that
might possibly follow later on when they had got the schooner afloat.
His first act, therefore, after the flight of the pirates, was to muster
his forces and ascertain the extent of the casualties.

The list was a heavy one.

In the first place, nine of the little band were m