he wheel, and lodged in the mainmast. Before another man
could run to the helm the vessel yawed to port; the boom, already
wounded, jibbed over and parted amidships, rendering the huge mainsail
of no use, and creating much confusion on board. There was now no fear
of her being able to haul her wind for some time, and coming up, hand
over hand, with her, we ranged alongside.

If we had before any doubts of her real character, we had now none, for
the Spanish ensign being hauled down, a black flag was hoisted at each
mast-head, and the accursed pirate was confessed. The outlaws,
doubtless knowing that victory or death alone awaited them, showed their
dark symbols in the hopes of intimidating our men, and made up their
minds to fight it out to the last. At the same moment they let fly
their whole broadside, which, though it did some damage, served to warm
up the blood of our people, and made them return it with a hearty good
will.

For half an hour or more, as we ran on, we thus continued exchanging
broadsides, considerably thinning their crowded decks; but as some of
our spars were wounded, our captain, fearing lest any being carried
away, the enemy might escape, determined without delay to lay him on
board, and to try the mettle of true men against their ruffian crew of
desperadoes.

After receiving her broadside and pouring in ours, we put our helm to
port, for she was, you must know, on our starboard side, when, running
our bow anchor into her fore chains, our grappling irons were thrown,
and we had her fast. With a loud cheer, our boarders sprang to the
forecastle, and on to the rigging of the enemy.

Never shall I forget, if I was to live as long again as I have done,
which is not very likely, the set of ferocious countenances which met
our sight as we rushed on board. It was fearful work we were about, but
our blood was up, and there was no quarter asked or given on either
side. We did not stop to think. The pirates knew that there was no
pardon for them, and seemed determined to sell their lives dearly. Our
onset was too furious to be withstood, and in a minute we had cleared a
small space on the schooner's decks abaft the foremast, but beyond that
every foot was desperately disputed.

We had gained some ground forward, when, from the after part of the
vessel, a determined band, led by the captain, pressed us hard. Twice
we were driven back almost to our own ship, many of our men losing the
number o