Part 31 (1/2)
We had sighted the island of Antigua on our starboard bow, and were standing in towards Nevis, when three sail appeared to the westward.
One of the lieutenants went aloft to examine them. On returning on deck, he reported that one was a line-of-battle s.h.i.+p, and the other two frigates. As there could be no doubt, from their position, that they were enemies, the captain ordered our course to be altered, intending to pa.s.s to the northward of Antigua. We had been seen by the enemy, who were making all sail in chase. I saw Dubois and La Touche watching them eagerly.
”You expect this time to gain your liberty, my friend?” I said to La Touche. ”Don't be too sure that your countrymen will come up with us, or if they do, that they will make the _Liffy_ strike her flag.”
”I would rather be set at liberty in any other way,” he answered, in his usual cordial tone; ”but they appear to me to be gaining on us.”
”Perhaps they are, and if so we must fight them, and drive them off,” I observed.
”It would be madness to do that,” he remarked. ”You cannot cope with a line-of-battle s.h.i.+p alone, independent of two frigates, each of which is a match for the _Liffy_.”
It was soon seen that our captain had no intention of striking his flag without striking very hard first at the enemy. The strangers appeared to have a stronger breeze than filled our sails, and were coming up hand over hand with us. Still we might get the wind, and run into an English harbour. It was the first time the _Liffy_ ever had to run, and we didn't like it. I asked Nettles.h.i.+p what he thought about the matter.
”We shall have a tough fight, at all events; but if we can save our spars, I don't think, notwithstanding, the enemy will take us.”
This was the general feeling of all on board.
We had sighted Nevis, when two other s.h.i.+ps were made out to the south-east. Presently several more appeared in that direction. It was a question, however, whether they were friends or foes. Had we been certain that they were friends, we should have stood towards them, but our captain was unwilling to run the risk of finding that he had made a mistake. A look-out was kept on them from aloft; and before long they were p.r.o.nounced to be enemies. I saw by the looks of our captain that he didn't like it, though he tried to appear as confident as usual. The rest of the officers kept up their spirits.
It was very evident that we were now in a difficult position. The line-of-battle s.h.i.+p was the closest; the two frigates, one to the north of us, the other some way to the south of her; while the new enemies we had discovered prevented us escaping in the opposite direction. Our only hope was to knock away some of the spars of the line-of-battle s.h.i.+p, and then fight our way past the two frigates. The line-of-battle s.h.i.+p was rapidly approaching. A single broadside, should we be exposed to it, would almost sink us.
Every preparation had been made for fighting; and not a man flinched from his gun. The officers were at their stations; the powder-monkeys seated on their tubs; the surgeons below, preparing for the wounded; and we, the younger mids.h.i.+pmen, ready for any duty we might be called on to perform.
At length a puff of smoke was seen issuing from the line-of-battle s.h.i.+p.
The shot fell close to our counter.
”That was fired from her forecastle,” observed Nettles.h.i.+p, ”from a long gun, too. It will play Old Harry with us if well served, before we can return the compliment.”
A second shot quickly followed, and struck the hammock-nettings on the starboard side, knocking several overboard.
We at length luffed up; and the captain ordered the whole of our starboard broadside to be fired. Our guns were well aimed, and immediately we had fired we again kept away. Our shot did considerable damage to our pursuer, but she still kept on, while we expected every moment to have her broadside cras.h.i.+ng into us.
Fortunately for us the wind fell, and our light frigate moved rapidly through the water. The other frigates were, however, coming up.
”What does the captain intend to do?” I asked of Nettles.h.i.+p.
He pointed ahead where the island of Nevis rose green and smiling out of the blue water.
”Depend on it he won't let the enemy have our tight little frigate if he can help it,” he answered. ”My idea is that he'll try and get close in, and stand round the island, to give a chance to our big enemy to run on sh.o.r.e.”
Shortly after this I heard Nettles.h.i.+p involuntarily exclaim, ”See! see!
here it comes!” and as I looked aft I saw the line-of-battle s.h.i.+p luffing up, and as she did so her whole broadside was discharged at us.
With a fearful uproar the shot came cras.h.i.+ng on board. Cries and shrieks arose from all sides. Well-nigh a dozen of our men were struck down, and many more were wounded. The most severely hurt of the latter were carried below. Comparatively little damage, however, had been done to our spars and rigging, though the rents in our sails showed where the shot had pa.s.sed through; while blocks came rattling down on deck, and several ropes hung in festoons from the yards. Still our stout-hearted captain held on.
To return the enemy's fire would have been useless, and only the sooner insure our destruction. We got nearer and nearer the island. The men were ordered into the chains to heave the lead. The captain and master examined the chart, which had been brought from the cabin. We had no doubt of what their intentions were, but we couldn't hear a word they said. We were gaining on our pursuer, but at the same time the two frigates were not far astern, while the other s.h.i.+ps, which had last been seen, were coming up rapidly. The men in the chains were heaving the lead. We were shoaling our water.
”By the mark, nine,” was called, and immediately followed by ”By the mark, eight.” Before the men in the chains could again cry out, a loud crash was heard,--every timber in the s.h.i.+p trembled,--the tall masts quivered.
”We're on sh.o.r.e,” I cried out.
”No doubt about that,” said Nettles.h.i.+p, ”and likely to remain there too.”