easily daunted, and
the places of those who fell were quickly supplied by others who rushed
forward to work their guns. Before, however, they could load and fire
them, the boats' crews, springing on shore, rushed forward and attacked
them, hanger in hand, and quickly mastered the fort.

The pirate ship now opened her fire upon the boats advancing up the
harbour. This told with great effect, and again and again they were
struck, but still undaunted, they pulled on. Meantime the other boats
had reached the bay, and their crews also quickly threw themselves on
shore. The pirates did not perceive their intention till it was too
late to prevent them, and now in steady order they were soon advancing
up from the shore towards the fort, which was also greatly annoying the
boats in their advance. Taken in the rear, its defenders were quickly
cut down, and now the party of English blue-jackets rushed up towards
the pirate ship, but some of her guns being directed at them and others
at the boats, no great loss was sustained by either. So quickly indeed
did the party advance, that very few shot took effect among them. At
length they got close up to the ship and opened a hot fire of musketry
upon her killing and wounding the men at her guns. The boats were thus
able to advance with much less molestation than before, and getting
alongside, their crews with loud shouts dashed on board. The pirates
fought desperately, but nothing could resist the courage of the English.
The outlaws were seen jumping overboard on either side, and many were
shot while attempting to swim on shore. No quarter was asked for by
them. They had seldom given it themselves. Still, however, they
exhibited great courage and hardihood, fighting desperately to the last.
Meantime a party of them who had remained on shore, manning several
boats, put off to the rescue of their comrades. Thus before the English
could prevent them, a considerable number had managed to escape from the
ship, taking their way to a point up the harbour where they could land
without being molested.

The men-of-war's boats had been left with their boatkeepers in the bay.
As soon as Deane saw that he could reach them without running the risk
of encountering the pirates, he determined to place Elizabeth on board
them.

"If we stay here, we shall very probably fall in with the buccaneers,
who are likely to fly to this rock in the hope of defending themselves.
Our way is now clear