n the pirate, but to
sheer alongside, stove in the bulwarks of the other, and carried away
her top masts, which, drawn to windward by the pressure on the
back-stays, fell over towards the Windsor Castle, and, entangling with
her rigging, prevented the separation of the two vessels.

"No quarter, my friends!" cried Monsieur de Fontanges, who darted on
board of the pirate vessel at the head of some men near the
main-rigging, while Newton and the remainder, equally active, poured
down upon his quarter.

Such had been the rapidity of the junction, and such the impetuosity of
the attack, that most of the pirates had not had time to arm themselves,
which, considering the superiority of their numbers, rendered the
conquest more equal. A desperate struggle was the result; the attacked
party neither expecting, demanding, nor receiving quarter. It was blow
for blow, wound for wound, death to one or both. Every inch of the deck
was disputed, and not an inch obtained until it reeked with blood. The
voices of Newton and Monsieur de Fontanges, encouraging their men, were
answered by another voice--that of the captain of the pirates, which had
its due effect upon the other party, which rallied at its sound.
Newton, even in the hurry and excitement of battle, could not help
thinking to himself that he had heard that voice before. The English
seamen gained but little ground, so obstinate was the resistance. The
pirates fell; but, as they lay on the deck, they either raised their
exhausted arms to strike one last blow of vengeance before their life's
blood had been poured out, or seized upon their antagonists with their
teeth in their expiring agonies. But a party, who, from the sedateness
of their carriage, had hitherto been almost neutral, now forced their
way into the conflict. These were the Flemish seamen, with their long
snick-a-snee knives, which they used with as much imperturbability as a
butcher professionally employed. They had gained the main rigging of
the vessel, and, ascending it, had passed over by the catharpins, and
descended with all the deliberation of hears on the other side, by which
tranquil manoeuvre the pirates were taken in the flank; and, huddled as
they were together, the knives of the Flemings proved much more
effective than the weapons opposed to them. The assistance of the
Flemings was hailed with a shout from the English seamen, who rallied,
and increased their efforts. Newton's sword had just