began to fear, as I saw the state of affairs, that the
_Diamond_ and her rich cargo would fall into the hands of the pirates.
They too seemed to consider themselves secure of victory, for with loud
shouts they encouraged each other to push on, calling at the same time
to their comrades, who were yet in the boats alongside, to come up and
secure their victory. Already some of our men began to cry out that all
was lost, and entreat for quarter. Just then a seaman, who had been on
the opposite side to that attacked by the pirates, came running up to
the captain to tell him that more enemies were coming.

"Better die fighting like brave men than yield," answered Captain Davis.

As he spoke, I looked on one side and saw the heads of people appearing
over the bulwarks.

"To the rescue! a Gresham! a Gresham!" they shouted. I was afraid that
this was only to deceive us; I recognised, however, the voice of the
stranger who had offered his services. And now, before the pirates
could get over to attack them, some twenty well-armed men leaped down on
our decks, and springing to our side, with pikes and swords drove back
our assailants. In vain the pirates attempted to resist the attack.
Our friends were fresh, while our enemies had already exhausted
themselves in the efforts they had been making. The pirates asked for
no quarter: neither our supporters nor our crew were inclined to give
it. Several were cut down and killed on the deck, others saved their
lives by ignominiously jumping over the bulwarks; and so rapidly did the
fortune of war change, that in a few minutes not a live pirate was to be
seen on our decks. Several were hurled headlong into their boats
desperately wounded, others thrown overboard.

The pirates' boats were now seen shoving off, and attempting to make
their escape. As soon as this was perceived by the stranger, he called
to his men, and they, returning to their boats, made chase. They were
not long in overtaking them, and in the midst of the gloom we could just
distinguish the boats apparently mingled together. Again we heard
shouts and cries, and the sharp report of arquebuses, with the clashing
of steel. Which party was gaining the victory, however, we could not
tell. At length the two boats of our friends appeared coming out of the
gloom, towing a third. They were soon alongside, and the stranger
captain appeared on our deck with three prisoners. They were all he had
been able to take.