at once, discharged by some of our best hands, old men-of-war's
men. Still, as no cry of satisfaction followed, I suspected that they
had not succeeded in damaging the enemy. A whole broadside from the
Greek now came rattling down upon us. I could not resist giving a look
up on deck. Several of our poor fellows had been knocked over, and lay
writhing in agony. Some were binding up their wounds, and one lay half
hanging over the hatchway shot through the body. Such another iron
shower would speedily clear our decks of every living being. As to
striking our flag, or crying out for mercy, that was out of the
question; we were contending with people who had received none from
their oppressors, and had not learned to show it to others. Those not
required to work the two guns, began blazing away with the muskets, but
in that arm also the pirate was infinitely our superior. Her shot from
another broadside came rushing fiercely over us. This time no one on
deck was hit, but the effects aloft were disastrous. Both our
topsail-yards were wounded, and several braces and much of our standing
rigging shot through. Our people fought as well as any men-of-war's
men, and our captain showed that though he was a rough diamond he was a
brave fellow. A third broadside reduced our rigging to a perfect wreck,
and masts, and spars, and blocks came tumbling down from aloft in
melancholy confusion. All this time the wind had been increasing, and
it now blew a pretty smart breeze. We might have still a chance if we
could knock away some of the enemy's spars, and keep him from boarding
us. Our hull had received no material injury, and if a gale came on we
might weather it out till perhaps some ship might come to our rescue.
Having got up all the powder and shot required, I came on deck. I asked
Charley what he thought of the state of things. He was looking very
pale; his shirt-sleeve was tucked up at the elbow, and there was blood
on his arm, which a musket-ball had just grazed.

"Don't ask me, Will," said he. "What can we do against that big fellow?
We shall all be food for fishes before long, I suppose."

I looked at the brig, which was twice our size and uninjured in rigging,
and was closely approaching us, while I could make out that her decks
were crowded with men in a variety of Eastern costumes, mostly such as I
had seen on board the Greek vessels at Smyrna. By this time it was
blowing fresh, and a good deal of sea had