ious_?'" continued the lieutenant, wholly
regardless of the situation they were placed in. The coxswain looked at
him with surprise, and at the same moment parried off with his cutlass a
thrust of a pike at Courtenay, which, in all probability, would
otherwise have prevented his asking any more questions; then, without
making any answer, sprang down on the deck into the midst of the affray.

"You, Robinson, come back," cried Courtenay, after him--"Damned
annoying--_Little Bilious_, indeed!" continued he, as, following the
example of the coxswain, he proceeded to vent his bile, for the present,
on the heads of the Frenchmen.

In most instances of boarding, but more especially in boarding small
vessels, there is not much opportunity for what is termed hand-to-hand
fighting. It is a rush for the deck; breast to breast, thigh to thigh,
foot to foot, man wedged against man, so pressed on by those behind,
that there is little possibility of using your cutlass, except by
driving your antagonist's teeth down his throat with the hilt. Gun-shot
wounds, of course, take place throughout the whole of the combat, but
those from the sabre and the cutlass are generally given and received
before the close, or after the resistance of one party has yielded to
the pertinacity and courage of the other. The crews of the barge and
cutters having gained possession of the deck in the rear of the enemy,
the affair was decided much sooner than it otherwise would have been,
for the French fought with desperation, and were commanded by a most
gallant and enterprising captain. In three minutes, the crew of the
privateer were either beaten below, or forced overboard, and the colours
hauled down from the mast-heads announced to Captain M--- and the rest
of the _Aspasia's_ crew, the welcome intelligence that the privateer was
in the possession of their gallant shipmates. The hatches were secured,
and the panting Englishmen, for a few minutes, desisted from their
exertions, that they might recover their breath; after which Price gave
directions for the cables and hawser to be cut, and the boats to go
ahead, and tow the vessel out.

"They are firing musketry from the shore; they've just hit one of our
men," said the coxswain of the pinnace.

"Then cast off, and bring your gun to bear astern. If you do not hit
them, at least they will not be so steady in their aim. As soon as we
are out of musket-shot, pull out to us."

The order was executed