laver's crew
being occupied in working their after-guns, with the object of keeping
the two schooners at bay. McTavish and the purser had, however, managed
to run out one of the carronades from the aftermost port of the
_Supplejack_, and having loaded it with grape, fired it directly at the
men working at the guns. Had it been at a greater distance it might
have done more damage; as it was it hit one of the Spaniards, blowing
him almost to atoms, and wounding two others.

"Well done!" cried McTavish, whose Highland blood was up, "we'll give
them another dose."

The gun was run in and loaded as before. The Spaniards, who had
deserted their gun at the first discharge of the carronade, now returned
to it, and brought it to bear on the _Supplejack_.

The boarding-party were, in the meantime, making desperate efforts to
gain her decks, but were met by that determined courage which British
seamen never fail to exhibit.

His brave crew well led by Jack and the boatswain, every time the
Spaniards attempted to gain a footing on the forecastle of the English
brig, those who succeeded were cut down, while the rest were driven
back.

"Now, my lads! follow me, and we'll board them," cried Jack.

His proposal was replied to with a loud cheer, and he and Needham were
on the point of leaping on to the brig's forecastle, when a shout from
aft made him turn his head, and he caught sight of Don Lopez and seven
or eight of his companions, who had just made their way on deck by the
companion-hatch. The Don had a musket in his hand with which he was
fiercely attacking the surgeon, who had, however, the moment before
seized one, and was warding off the blows aimed at him. Jack singing
out to Needham to defend the forecastle, sprang aft with several of his
men to the assistance of McTavish. Just then the bows of the slaver
separated from the _Supplejack_, and at the same moment one of the
officers of the former, who had been looking eagerly to windward,
shouted to the captain. He instantly ran aft to the helm, which had
been deserted; but instead of attempting to regain his former position,
put it up, and allowing his vessel to shoot ahead as soon as she had
gathered way, went about and stood off to the northward. Don Lopez and
his companions, seeing themselves deserted, threw down their arms and
hurried below again as fast as they had come up. Needham's first
impulse was to rush back to Long Tom, with which he began to pepper