,
sailing more than two feet to the merchantman's one, they ran quickly
down towards her, firing rapidly as they came. Only the merchantman's
heavy guns replied, but these worked steadily and coolly, and did
considerable damage. The bowsprit of one of their opponents was shot
away. The sails of both vessels were pierced in several places, and
several ragged holes were knocked in their hulls.

"If it were not that I do not wish to sacrifice any of the lives on
board, unnecessarily," the captain said, "I would let them come
alongside and try boarding. We have a strong crew, and with the sixty
soldiers we should give them such a reception as they do not dream of.
However, I will keep them off, if I can.

"Now, Mr. James," he said to the first officer, "I propose to give
that vessel to leeward a dose. They are keeping about abreast, and by
the course they are making will range alongside at about a cable's
length. When I give the word, pour a broadside with the guns to port
upon that weather schooner.

"At that moment, gentlemen," he said, turning to the passengers, "I
shall rely upon you to pick off the steersman of the other vessel, and
to prevent another taking his place. She steers badly now, and the
moment her helm is free, she'll run up into the wind. As she does so,
I shall bear off, run across her bow, and rake her deck with grape as
we pass.

"Will you, Mr. Barlow, order your men to be in readiness to open fire
with musketry upon her, as we pass?"

The schooners were now running rapidly down upon the Indiaman. They
were only able to use the guns in their bows, and the fire of the
Indiaman from the heavy guns on her quarter was inflicting more damage
than she received.

"Let all hands lie down on deck," the captain ordered. "They will open
with their broadside guns, as they come up. When I give the word, let
all the guns on the port side be trained at the foot of her mainmast,
and fire as you get the line. On the starboard side, lie down till I
give the word."

It was a pretty sight as the schooners, throwing the water high up
from their sharp cut-waters, came running along, heeling over under
the breeze. As they ranged alongside, their topsails came down, and a
broadside from both was poured into the Indiaman. The great ship shook
as the shot crashed into her, and several sharp cries told of the
effect which had been produced.

Then the captain gave the word, and a moment afterwards an irregular
broadsid