which they did as soon as
they perceived their opponents retreat, the ladder was up, and the
hatches placed over the hatchways.

The Yungfraus had gained the whole of the lower deck, but they could do
no more; and Ramsay perceived that if he could maintain possession of
the upper deck, it was as much as he could expect with such determined
assailants. This warfare had been continued during the whole morning,
and it was twelve o'clock before the cabin and lower deck had been
abandoned by Ramsay's associates. During the whole day, the skirmishes
continued, the crew of the Yungfrau climbing on the table of the cabin,
and firing through the skylight; but in so doing, they exposed
themselves to the fire of the other party, who sat like oats watching
for their appearance, and discharging their pieces the moment that a
head presented itself. In the meantime, the cutter darted on before a
strong favourable breeze, and thus passed the first day. Many attempts
were made during the night by the seamen of the cutter to force their
way on deck, but they were all prevented by the vigilance of Ramsay; and
the next morning, the Isle of Wight was in sight. Wilhelmina had passed
the night on the forecastle, covered up with a sail: none of his people
had had anything to eat during the time that they were on board, and
Ramsay was most anxious to arrive at his destination.

About noon, the cutter was abreast off the Black Gang Chyne: Ramsay had
calculated upon retaining possession of the cutter, and taking the whole
of the occupants of the cave over to Cherbourg; but this was now
impossible. He had five of his men wounded, and he could not row the
boat to the cave without leaving so few men on board that they would be
overpowered, for his ammunition was expended, with the exception of one
or two charges, which were retained for an emergency. All that he could
do now, was, therefore, to put his treasure in the boat, and with
Wilhelmina and his whole party make for the cave, when he could send
notice to Portsmouth for the others to join them, and they must be
content to await the meditated attack upon the cave, and defend it till
they could make their escape to France. The wind being foul for the
cutter's return to Portsmouth, would enable him to give notice at
Portsmouth, overland, before she could arrive.

There was a great oversight committed when the lower deck was
abandoned--the despatches had been left on Mr Vanslyperken's be