front line and
Morgan himself in advance of all sword in hand, the two parties
contemplated each other for a little space before joining in the onset.

The poop and quarter-deck were crowded so thick with Spanish soldiers
and sailors that room could scarcely be found for the increasing
procession, for, anxious to be in at the death, the men of the galleon
clinging to the frigate ran across and joined their comrades. Here were
trained and veteran soldiers in overwhelming numbers, with the advantage
of position in that they fought from above down, to oppose which Morgan
had his motley crew behind him.

"Yield, you dastardly villain!" shouted the captain of the Spanish
frigate, who was in the fore of his men.

"Shall I have good quarter?" cried Morgan.

A low growl ran through the ranks of the buccaneers at this question.
Yet the rapscallions among the crew back of him instantly took up the
cry.

"Quarter! Quarter! We surrender! We strike! For heaven's sake----"

"Silence!" roared Morgan--an order which was enforced by the officers
and veterans by fierce blows with pistol butts, hilts of swords, and
even naked fists. "I would hear the answer of the Spanish captain."

"We give no quarter to pirates and murderers," the other shouted.

"That's what I thought," said Morgan triumphantly, and as he spoke he
drew from his pocket a silver whistle like a boatswain's call. He blew
it shrilly before the wondering men.

At that instant Teach, followed by the few men who had remained below in
the powder division, came running up to Morgan from the hatchway
between the two forces.

"Is't done?" cried the captain.

"Ay, sir. In another----"

"Forward, gentlemen!" shouted the Spanish captain, dropping from the
quarter-deck to the main-deck. "God and St. Jago! Have at them!"

Before he had taken two steps the terrific roar of a deafening explosion
came to the startled buccaneers out of the blast of flame and smoke, in
the midst of which could be heard shrieks and groans of the most
terrible anguish. Teach had connected the powder with the fuse, and when
he had heard the sound of Morgan's whistle, the agreed signal, he had
ignited it and blown up the stern of the frigate.

The Spaniards were hurled in every direction. So powerful was the
concussion that the front ranks of the buccaneers were also thrown down
by it. Morgan happened to fall by the side of the Spanish captain, and
the latter, though badly wounded, with determi