ion. Several dark objects were seen
on the water. They were boats. The foam thrown up by their bows
glittered brightly as the rays of the sun fell on it, showing the rate
at which they were coming on. The British crew gave an involuntary
cheer as they caught sight of them. They had no doubt they were
friends. So intent had been the pirates on capturing their prey that
they had not yet discovered the approach of the boats. The sight gave
fresh energy to the British seamen. The big junk at length got
alongside the brig, and from her lofty bulwarks down poured the pirates
on the deck of the latter; but though they got there, they had reason to
wish themselves back again, for the British cutlasses made very speedy
work of them, and not one in ten escaped with their lives. Still, even
the bravest of the English tars wished that the boats would arrive, for
two more huge junks ranged up, one on the _Blenny_ quarter and another
on her bows, and they had to divide to repel the pirates who swarmed on
their sides. Another and another junk came up, and soon joined outside
of the others, so that the pirates had the power of throwing a continual
stream of boarders on to the deck of the brig. Had they not known of
the approaching boats, hope would certainly have forsaken the crew of
the _Blenny_. A few musket cartridges remained, with which the marines
kept up a fire on the denser masses of pirates. The smoke they
produced, added to that of the guns from the pirates, threw so thick a
veil over the scene that the expected boats were no longer visible.
More than once Captain Hemming pulled out his watch to ascertain how
time sped, and then again had to lead on his men to repel a fresh
attack. Several times the British were almost overpowered, and the most
resolute bravery alone could have saved them. Suddenly some sharp
reports were heard close to them. The masts of several of the junks
were observed to be receding, and then arose above the din of battle
three hearty British cheers. The hard-pressed crew of the _Blenny_
responded to it, but they had to exert every nerve and muscle to keep
the enemy at bay. There were more shouts and shots, and then came
shrieks and cries and the clashing of steel, and Terence Adair, with
little Harry Bevan, was seen, followed by a party of seamen, cutting
their way along the deck of the nearest junk, driving numbers of pirates
before them, till they reached the point in contact with the