e it in the purposed way. He intended, of course, if it
could be brought about, to throw the masses of soldiers he was
transporting home upon the English decks, and carry the frigate by
boarding.

Again Morgan put Hornigold in charge of the manoeuvering of the ship,
and again that old worthy chose to handle the spokes himself. There was
a brief conversation between them, and then the English captain ran
forward on the forecastle. The ships were very near now. In a moment or
two they would pass each other in parallel courses, though in opposite
direction, and their broadsides would bear; but when the _Mary Rose_ was
about a cable's length from the Spanish frigate something happened.

The astonished Don heard a sharp command ring out from the approaching
English ship, after which she made a wide sweep and came driving
straight at him at a furious speed. The English captain intended to run
him down! Here was to be no passage along his broadside. The other was
upon him! The cutwater of the onrushing ship loomed up before him
tremendously. Instantly all was confusion on the Spanish ship! The
steersman lost his head, and without orders put his helm up sharply;
some one cut the sheet of the after-sail on the huge lateen yard, and
the frigate went whirling around on her heel like a top, in a violent
and fatal, as well as vain, effort to get out of the road.

It was a most foolish manoeuvre, for close at hand on the lee side of
her the galleon came lumbering along. Her captain, too, had seen the
peril, and had elected to meet it by tacking under his consort's stern.
But he was too near, and the other ship fell off and was swept to
leeward too rapidly. His own ship, cumbersome and unwieldy, as they
always were, was slow in answering the helm. The frigate and galleon
came together with a terrific crash. The shock carried away the
foretopmast of the frigate, which fell across the head yards of the
galleon. The two ships were instantly locked together. They swung
drifting and helpless in the tossing waters.

Morgan had counted upon this very catastrophe. A twist of the helm, a
touch of the braces, and the prow of the _Mary Rose_ swung to windward.
As her batteries bore she hurled their messengers of death into the
crowded masses on the Spanish ships. Although dismayed by the collision,
the gunners on the frigate made a spirited reply with a discharge which
at such close range did much execution.

Unfortunately for her, the _Mar