forth loud
shouts and cries, the flashing of pistols and musketry, and the clashing
of steel, the sounds coming over to us across the calm water. Our men
were hotly engaged, of that there was no doubt, but, from the frequent
flashes of pistols, and the shouts of Spaniards as well as Englishmen,
it was doubtful which was gaining the day. The contest was evidently a
fierce one. Oldershaw's blood, in spite of his principles, was quickly
up, and he evidently thought very little about me or anything else,
except getting on deck as fast as he could, and joining in the fray.
Our crew strained every nerve to get alongside. As we pulled by, the
shouts and cries increased. The whole deck seemed one blaze of fire
from the rapid discharge of pistols and muskets, while every now and
then fearful shrieks burst from the bosoms of those who had been cut
down. The ship was a high one, and there was some difficulty in
climbing up out of our small boat.

"Here's a lower port open!" exclaimed Pat Brady, springing up and
hauling himself into it. We all followed, and found ourselves the sole
possessors of the lower-deck. Whether our people had the fore or after
part of the deck we could not ascertain. We were about, however, to
make our way up, when we caught sight of several figures descending.
They were Spaniards, going apparently to the magazine for more
ammunition. Before they were aware of our presence, our men had sprung
upon them and cut them down. Scarcely had they ceased to breathe when
three other persons came down, apparently for the same object. Led by
Oldershaw, Kiddle and Brady with the others were upon them, and they too
were cut down. It being supposed, probably, that they were skulking, a
still larger number of people came down to look them up in the same
incautious manner, and before they had time to cry out they also were
slaughtered. An officer and several more men, swearing fearfully at the
cowardice of their companions, now jumped below, and were in like manner
cut down. I scarcely like to say how many people were killed in this
fearful way. Our men now made a dash aft with such fury that the
Spaniards on deck thought only of defending their lives. Two dead
bodies came tumbling down the hatchway, as well as another poor fellow,
only half killed, with a desperate wound on his shoulder. I should say
from the way he groaned, and an exclamation he uttered, I felt sure he
was an Englishman. I ran up to hi