ell, struck by a hatchet
on the head.

"Follow me," cried Tom. "We may reach the boat through the cabin
windows." As he said this, he sprang down the companion-hatch, I and
two others following him. The remainder of our number were overtaken by
the savages before they could reach it. The last, Andrew Pearson, our
boatswain, contrived to secure the hatch. This gave us time to get hold
of the fire-arms fastened against the bulkheads, and to load and place
them ready for use on the table. There were at least a dozen muskets,
and as many brace of pistols. Had these been in our hands on deck, we
should probably have driven the savages overboard, or they would have
been deterred from making the attack. With them, we might now defend
our lives against vastly superior numbers.

The scuffle on deck was still going on, the yells of the savages rising
above the stifled groans and cries of our unfortunate shipmates. They
soon ceased, and then arose a shout of triumph from our enemies, and we
knew that we were the only survivors. But we too were in a desperate
plight. Tom was severely wounded, and the boatswain and the other man
had received several gashes. I, indeed, thanks to the way in which Tom
had defended me, was the only person unhurt.

"Green, do you look after the hatchway," said Pearson to the other man
who had escaped. "Tom, do you and Jack show your muskets through the
stern windows, I have some work to do. The savages think they have us
in a trap, but they are mistaken." He opened, as he spoke, a hatch
which led to the magazine, and I saw him uncoiling a long line of match,
one end of which he placed in the magazine, while he led the other along
the cabin to the stern-port. Meantime, the savages had all clambered on
board, and were shrieking and shouting in the most fearful manner,
crowding down into the hold, as we could judge by the sounds which
reached us, and handing up the rich treasures they found there.

"No time to be lost," said Pearson, hauling up the boat. He went to the
locker, and collected all the provisions he could find. "Jump in, Tom
and Jack," he said. "Now for the fire-arms." He handed them in, and
told us to place them along the thwarts, ready for use. "Now, Green,"
he said in a low voice, "jump in." We three were now in the boat, which
was hidden under the counter from those on deck. He struck a light, and
placed it to the slow match, and, having ascertained that it was
bu