s from the Moors in their harsh
ugly tongue, "Le Grand Sarrasin," or "Le Grand Geoffroy," echoing among
their uncouth war-cries.

I cannot tell what happened that first part of the fight; but I saw a
confused sight of our men with a strong rush of might, their bright
swords gleaming o'er their heads, leaping into this vessel or that, and
blazing with the onrush of their attack upon the Moors, that met them
with mad ferocity. There was a scene on each deck in which I could
distinguish not which way the matter went, except that the war-cries of
our men sounded ever more triumphant. Two vessels at the least were so
disabled by the shock that they drifted away southward on the jagged
rocks with their crews still in them. I know not whether the rogues in
them were saved or lost.

The men of _La Belle Mathilde_, straight in front of us, had good
success, for already, ere we came into action, they had cleared the deck
of the vessel they had attacked, and leaving it to drift away were about
to run down its neighbour, into whose side some of the crew had climbed,
having leapt into the water from the battle with the Normans. We cast
our eyes along the fighting-line and saw the like going on; and then
came up their second line, in two curves, east and west, to their
friends' assistance. Now, this was our signal to ride forward and engage
them. So we swept round to keep them off on either side, and ere I knew
what was afoot there ran a great tremble through the ship, and a crack
like thunder sent my heart into my mouth, and in a moment I saw the
Moors hacking eagerly at the wrists of our soldiers, that clung lustily
to the rigging of their craft, that was called _La Reine d'enfer_.

With a shout that rang like a great trumpet, our little Samson had his
foot in a moment on the gunwale. "Stick on lads, tight!" he cried, as
with half a score of whom I was one, he landed on the pirate's deck.
Three of them rushed at each of us, and well it was we had good hauberks
and good blades, for "slash, slash" came down on us the strokes from
either hand. But swift in our tail came a score more of our Normans,
some of the readiest and stoutest of Samson's own men that followed his
standard, and like lions zealous for his honour, and eagles careful for
his life, they fought their way to their little leader's side, who was
well-nigh bested, contending with three or more, who knew his place and
station and attacked him at all points. But the rush