eighteen or twenty fine-looking seamen, were forward eagerly
discussing the situation of affairs. The captain was aft with his two
officers, talking to Lieutenant Bukett. He was fair, with light hair
curling all over his head, beard cut short, about forty years of age,
well set up, with a frame like a Roman wrestler, evidently a tough
customer in a rough-and-ready scrimmage.

He spoke fairly good English, and was violently denouncing the outrage
done to his flag; his government would demand instant satisfaction for
firing upon a legitimate trader on the high seas. I have the lieutenant
Captain Thompson's orders, to bring the captain and his papers on board
at once. His harangue was cut short by orders to get on board my boat.
He swore with a terrible oath that he would never leave his vessel.
"Come on board, men," said I, and twenty of our crew were on deck in a
jiffy. I stationed my coxswain, Parker, at the cabin companion way with
orders to allow no one to pass. "Now," said Lieutenant Bukett to the
Spaniard, "I will take you on board in irons unless you go quietly." He
hesitated a moment, then said he would come as soon as he had gone below
to bring up his papers. "No, never mind your papers; I will find them,"
said the lieutenant, for he saw the devil in the Spaniard's eyes, and
knew he meant mischief. Our captive made one bound for the companion
way, however, and seizing Parker by the throat hurled him into the water
ways as if he had been a rag baby. But fortunately he slipped on a small
grating and fell on his knees, and before he could recover himself two
of our men threw themselves upon him.

I closed the companion way. The struggle was desperate for a few
minutes, for the Spaniard seemed possessed of the furies, and his
efforts were almost superhuman. Twice he threw the men from him across
the deck, but they were reinforced by Parker, who, smarting under his
discomfiture, rushed in, determined to down him. I was anxious to end it
with my pistol, but Lieutenant Bukett would not consent. The Spaniard's
officers and men made some demonstration to assist, but they were
quickly disposed of: his two mates were put in irons and the crew driven
forward. Struggling, fighting, every limb and every muscle at work,
the captain was overpowered; a piece of the signal halyards brought his
hands together, and handcuffs were slipped on his wrists. Only then he
succumbed, and begged Lieutenant Bukett to blow out his brains, for