ch told us how very numerous
they were: they climbed up the side and into the chains like cats, and
in a few seconds all was noise, confusion, and smoke. It was impossible
to know what the result was to be for about a minute, when the cheers
from our own men announced that the assailants had been beaten back. But
hardly had the cheering ceased on our side when another cheer was heard
from the lugger, and the attempt to gain our decks was repeated. This
time the Frenchmen fought more obstinately than before, and it was
nearly five minutes before they were repelled. It was not yet dark
(although the fog was thick), and you could make out their countenances
pretty clear; a more wild reckless set of fellows I never beheld, and
they certainly fought very gallantly, but they were driven back again;
and once more were the cheers from the British seamen and soldiers mixed
up with the execrations and shouts of the still contending, although
retreating, Frenchmen.

Just at this period of the conflict I was standing on the poop by
Bramble, who had been watching the result, when he said, "Tom, come with
me: do you jump into the main chains with a double part of the topsail
halyards fall, and when the lugger's mast strikes against the chains as
she rolls into us, pass the fall round it underneath the rigging, and
hand the end in to me."

We both leaped off the poop; he gave me the bight of the halyards. I
crept out of the port into the chains and passed it round the lugger's
mainmast, as he told me, handing in the bight to him, which he belayed
slack to the mainsheet kevel. At the time I perceived a man lying
wounded or dead in the main chains, but I paid no attention to him
until, as I was about to get on board, he attracted my attention by
seizing my leg, and making his teeth meet in the small part of it, above
the ankle. I could not help crying out, I was so taken by surprise with
the pain; however, I kicked him off, and turning to look at him, I found
it was a wounded Frenchman, who, perceiving what I was about, had paid
me that compliment. As soon as I was on board I heard the captain say to
Bramble, "Well, pilot, he has had enough of it."

"Yes, and he won't escape, captain, for Tom has got him fast by the
masthead, and they dare not climb up to cut themselves adrift. All that
you have to do now it to let the soldiers fire on his decks until they
run below, and then our men can board and take possession of her."

The capta