retired to the quarter-deck.

"Give way, men!" he again shouted, so clear and steady, as to be heard
above the cries and execrations of the fight. "Into the wings;
down,--between the guns--down--to your covers!"

The English disappeared, as if by magic. Some leaped upon the ridge-ropes,
others sought the protection of the guns, and many went through the
hatches. At that moment Ludlow made his most desperate effort. Aided by
the gunner, he applied matches to the two swivels, which had been placed
in readiness for a last resort. The deck was enveloped in smoke, and, when
the vapor lifted, the forward part of the ship was as clear as if man had
never trod it. All who had not fallen, had vanished.

A shout, and a loud hurrah! brought back the defendants, and Ludlow headed
a charge upon the top-gallant-forecastle, again, in person. A few of the
assailants showed themselves from behind covers on the deck, and the
struggle was renewed. Glaring balls of fire sailed over the heads of the
combatants, and fell among the throng in the rear. Ludlow saw the danger,
and he endeavored to urge his people on to regain the bow-guns, one of
which was known to be loaded. But the explosion of a grenade on deck, and
in his rear, was followed by a shock in the hold, that threatened to force
the bottom out of the vessel. The alarmed and weakened crew began to
waver, and as a fresh attack of grenades was followed by a fierce rally,
in which the assailants brought up fifty men in a body from their boats,
Ludlow found himself compelled to retire amid the retreating mass of his
own crew.

The defence now assumed the character of hopeless but desperate
resistance. The cries of the enemy were more and more clamorous; and they
succeeded in nearly silencing the top, by a heavy fire of musketry
established on the bowsprit and sprit-sail-yard.

Events passed much faster than they can be related. The enemy were in
possession of all the forward part of the ship to her fore-hatches, but
into these young Hopper had thrown himself, with half-a-dozen men, and,
aided by a brother midshipman in the launch, backed by a few followers,
they still held the assailants at bay. Ludlow cast an eye behind him, and
began to think of selling his life as dearly as possible in the cabins.
That glance was arrested by the sight of the malign smile of the sea-green
lady, as the gleaming face rose above the taffrail. A dozen dark forms
leaped upon the poop, and then arose a