ated most thickly, and, aiming so as to send the
bullet flying pretty close over the heads of the savages, pulled the
trigger. I distinctly heard the "plop" of the bullet as it struck the
water, but beyond that all was as still as death. Meanwhile, at my
call, the men aloft had come sliding down the backstays and were now
mustering on the fore-deck awaiting further instructions. And at the
same moment the general came forward to announce that he had quietly
called the men passengers, who would be on deck in a moment, bringing
their firearms with them.

"I will place myself at their head, Grenvile," he said, "and if you will
tell me how we can most helpfully assist you I will see to the details
of any task that you may assign to us."

"A thousand thanks, general," answered I. "You, perhaps, cannot do
better than muster your men on the poop, and if you detect any
disposition on the part of the canoes to close in upon the ship, fire
into them without hesitation. This is no time for half-measures; we
must deal decisively and firmly with those fellows, or we shall find
ourselves in a very awkward predicament."

"Right; I agree with you there, and you will not find us wanting, I
hope," responded Sir Thomas, as he turned to walk away aft.

"Simpson, San Domingo, and Beardmore, come up here on the topgallant
forecastle," called I; and at the call up came the men, with the
inevitable answer of "Ay, ay, sir!"

"Simpson," said I, "I want you and San Domingo to take charge of this
port carronade, while you, Jones and Beardmore, attend to the starboard
one. The ship has now swung to her anchor, and is lying fairly steady;
so when once you have trained the pieces they will not need much
alteration. Run them both close up to the rail, and depress the muzzles
so that the discharge will strike the water at a distance of about fifty
yards, which will afford room for the charge to spread nicely. If a
canoe approaches within that distance, fire upon her. I will arrange
for more ammunition to be sent to you at once."

I then descended to the main-deck, and, finding Carter, arranged with
him that he should descend to the magazine with one of my men, who could
be trusted to be careful, and send up an ample supply of ammunition.
This done, my next act was to range the crew of the ship along the main-
deck, port and starboard sides, with muskets in their hands, giving them
strict injunctions to fire upon any canoe that they might