ntil the forecastle was gained. One of the boats was
immediately to shove ahead and cut the cable, while certain of the men
had been directed to hoist the headsails, so that the prize might,
without an instant's delay, be making her way down the harbour before
any assistance could come off to her from the land.

The moment for action was approaching. The ship was seen at the spot
where Bill thought she would be found, lying silent and dark, her tall
masts and the tracery of her rigging just to be distinguished against
the sky. No one was observed moving on her deck. Eagerly the boats
dashed forward to the posts allotted to them. The bows of the barge had
just hooked on when the sentry on the gangway, who had evidently not
been attending to his duty, shouted out, and fired his musket.

The rest of the watch came rushing aft, but it was to encounter the crew
of the barge, who, having climbed up her side, had already gained her
deck. Their officers at the same moment sprang up the companion-hatch,
sword in hand, but were knocked over before they could strike a blow.

The crews of the other boats had, in the meantime, gained the deck, but
not before the rest of the Frenchmen came tumbling up from below armed
with cutlasses and pikes, or such weapons as they could lay their hands
on. Though they made a bold stand, and endeavoured to defend the fore
part of the ship, they had to retreat before the desperate charge of the
boarders, who, with cutlasses flashing and cutting, soon hewed a way for
themselves to the forecastle, leaving the deck on either side covered
with dead or wounded men. Not a word had been spoken, and scarcely a
shout uttered, but the clashing of steel and flashing of pistols must
have showed the people on shore what was going forward.

The mate, to whom the duty had been assigned, having in the meantime
carried his boat under the bows, quickly cut the cable, then allowing
her to drift alongside, he sprang on to the forecastle, where he took
charge of the party engaged in making sail.

The third lieutenant, though he was severely wounded, went aft to the
helm, and in less than three minutes from the time the boats got
alongside, the prize, under her foresail and foretopsail, was standing
down the harbour.

Bill, having got hold of a pistol, kept close to Mr Saltwell, that he
might be ready to assist him or obey any orders he might receive. A few
only of his men were standing round the lieutenant