y appeared at the side in readiness to jump down. Then we gave them
another broadside, and closed up again. Twice again they attempted to
board, but each time failed, and the fight went on.

"Our fellows were thoroughly excited, and ready for anything, but it was
clear that the present state of affairs could not last much longer. Our
rigging and sails were cut to pieces, and the masts might at any moment
go, and the frigate would then only have to cut herself free, draw off a
short distance, and sink us. Cochrane, who was as cool as a cucumber, went
along among the men at their quarters, and told them that they had either
got to take the frigate or be taken themselves, in which case they would
probably get no quarter, as the Spaniards would be maddened at the loss
they had suffered from so insignificant a foe. 'It needs,' he said, 'but a
few minutes' hard fighting to settle the matter.' All replied that they
were ready. Cochrane was always up to fun, and he called a portion of the
crew away from the guns, and told them to damp some powder and blacken
their faces. You never saw such figures as they were when they came up.
Cochrane ordered them to board at the enemy's bow, while the rest of the
crew were to board by the waist.

"Guthrie, the doctor, volunteered to take the helm, and when Cochrane gave
the order the rest of us, men and boys, sprang on to the deck of the
Spaniard. Through the wreaths of smoke they had caught sight of our
preparations, and, believing that we intended to board by the bow, the
greater portion of their crew were gathered there. The appearance of our
fellows' faces as they emerged from the smoke and leapt upon the deck, and
with loud shouts rushed at them, struck them with astonishment. I was with
this party, and, excited as I was, could scarcely refrain from bursting
out laughing at their dismay. Our men certainly were enough to surprise
anyone. Bathed in sweat, worked up to a pitch of wild excitement, naked to
the waist, with their faces and bodies streaked with the powder, one could
understand that the superstitious Spaniards, already depressed by their
vain efforts to overpower so puny an assailant, thought that they were
attacked by foes straight from the infernal regions. As they stood
hesitating and aghast, we went at them, while Cochrane, with the force
that had boarded at the waist, fell upon them in rear.

"Recovering themselves, the Spaniards made a rush to the waist, defending
thems