over the heavy
air,--another and another,--a continued fire. The strand was now crowded
with the officers of justice. The vessel beyond forbade escape to the
opposite islet. There was no hope for the pirates but in contest, or
in dispersion among the cliffs or woods on the shore. They formed their
resolution at once, and stood prepared and firm, partly on their boats,
partly on the beach around them. Though the officers were far more
numerous, the strife--fierce, desperate, and hand to hand seemed equally
sustained. Montreuil, as he retreated before me, bore back into the
general _melee_, and, as the press thickened, we were for some moments
separated. It was at this time that I caught a glimpse of Gerald; _he_
seemed also then to espy me, and made eagerly towards me. Suddenly he
was snatched from my view. The fray relaxed; the officers, evidently
worsted, retreated towards the land, and the pirates appeared once more
to entertain the hope of making their escape by water. Probably they
thought that the darkness of the night might enable them to baffle the
pursuit of the adverse vessel, which now lay expectant and passive on
the wave. However this be, they made simultaneously to their boats, and
among their numbers I descried Montreuil. I set my teeth with a calm and
prophetic wrath. But three strokes did my good blade make through that
throng before I was by his side; he had at that instant his hold upon
the boat's edge, and he stood knee-deep in the dashing waters. I laid my
grasp upon his shoulder, and my cheek touched his own as I hissed in
his ear, "I am with thee yet!" He turned fiercely; he strove in vain to
shake off my grasp. The boat pushed away, and his last hope of escape
was over. At this moment the moon broke away from the mist, and we
saw each other plainly, and face to face. There was a ghastly but
set despair in Montreuil's lofty and proud countenance, which changed
gradually to a fiercer aspect, as he met my gaze. Once more, foot to
foot and hand to hand, we engaged; the increased light of the skies
rendered the contest more that of skill than it had hitherto been,
and Montreuil seemed to collect all his energies, and to fight with a
steadier and a cooler determination. Nevertheless the combat was short.
Once my antagonist had the imprudence to raise his arm and expose his
body to my thrust: his sword grazed my cheek,--I shall bear the scar to
my grave,--mine passed twice through his breast, and he fell,