musket up to
Thompson, the man at the helm, should occasion arise to require it. The
Frenchmen, I ought to have said, all slept together in a part of the
hold which was planked off for their accommodation. I kept watching the
blacks narrowly. I saw their eyes turned every now and then towards the
main hatchway. I was convinced that no time was to be lost if bloodshed
was to be prevented.

"A heavy squall coming on," I shouted out. "Hands aloft and furl
topsails! Here, Sambo, Julius, Quasha, aloft with you quickly and furl
the main-topsail." They pretended not to hear me, but once more looked
down the hatchway. "Do you hear? Up with you, you scoundrels!" I
shouted out at the top of my voice, loud enough, I thought, at all
events, for Jones to hear me. At that moment the heads of three
Frenchmen appeared above the combing of the main hatchway.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

OVERPOWER MUTINEERS--A SUSPICIOUS SAIL--CHASED--CAPTURED BY FRENCH
PRIVATEER--CARRIED INTO SAINT MALO--PLAN FOR ESCAPING--CAROUSE OF
PRIVATEER'S CREW--LA MOTTE'S DANGEROUS EXPEDITION--ESCAPE FROM HARBOUR.

The moment I saw the heads of the Frenchmen, I handed out a musket from
the companion-hatch, and gave it to Thompson, while I took one myself
and levelled it at them. "Ah, my friends, understand that I will fire
at the first man of you who steps on deck!" I sang out. "Return to
your beds, if you are sick, but on deck you must not venture."

Thompson imitated my example, and we both stood with our muskets
levelled and ready to put our threats into execution. At first the
Frenchmen popped down again very quickly, but gaining courage, they all
five put their heads up again at the same moment.

Looking round and seeing only Thompson and me on deck, they sprang up as
if they were about to make a desperate rush towards us, thinking of
course that they could easily overcome two men.

Telling Thompson to aim at the blacks in the rigging to keep them there,
I covered the foremost Frenchman with my musket. I could have killed
him on the spot, but I was most unwilling to shed blood except in the
very last necessity. Once more I sang out. He continued advancing.

"I have given you ample warning!" I cried out. My finger was on the
trigger.

At that moment Mr Randolph, followed by Andrews and the other men,
sprang on deck, and seeing the state of affairs, each of them grasping a
handspike, they ran towards the Frenchmen.

The latter soon s