Part 33 (1/2)
”Do you recollect anything about the harbour up there?” asked Mr Saltwell
”Yes, sir,” answered Bill ”I reot off, and I was thinking I could ht, if I had to do so”
”You will have an opportunity to-night, I hope, of showing your knowledge The captain intends to send up the boats to try and cut out the vessel we chased into the harbour I am to command the expedition, and I will take you withhis hat ”I feel pretty sure that I knoay up to the landing-place, and I do not suppose that a shi+p the size of the chase could get up higher”
”You can go forward now, and be ready to accompany me when you are suratified by the confidence placed in hihly observed the harbour before he and Jack hadout to sea, so that by the time the sun went down she could not be perceived from the shore She was then hove-to, and preparations were made for the intended expedition
Lieutenant Saltent in the barge, the third lieutenant in the launch, and the lieutenant of marines, with the seniormuffled, so that no sound would betray their approach to the ene care to show no lights, when in perfect silence the boats shoved off, carrying a them about fifty officers and men Lieutenant Saltwell called Bill aft to take a seat by his side Before leaving the frigate, the captain had directed the first lieutenant to return should he find the shi+p soher out Bill, however, told him that he had observed a vessel at anchor soe craft could get up higher on account of the shallowness of the water The wind, which had hitherto been east and north-east, again shi+fting to the southward, blew directly down the harbour, which would enable the shi+p, should she be captured, to be brought doithout difficulty
Bill's heart beat quicker than usual as he thought of the work in hand, and recollected that the success of the undertaking ht was very dark, but as the boats got up to the uished, as well as several on board vessels at anchor The boats kept clear of the latter, lest any of their people e led, the launch and cutter following in succession The success of the undertaking would depend on their being able to take the enens had been perceived that their approach was discovered, and Bill advised that they should keep over to the west shore, where there were no vessels at anchor, but where he was sure there ater for the boats, fro that course at low tide
As they got higher up, the sound of voices ca ave Mr Saltwell hopes that many of the creere landed, and that those on board would be totally unprepared for an attack He intended to board on the starboard quarter, and he had given directions to the other officers, one to board on the larboard quarter and the other at theto overpower the resistance the officer's would ained One of the boats was immediately to shove ahead and cut the cable, while certain of the men had been directed to hoist the headsails, so that the prizeher way down the harbour before any assistance could come off to her fro The shi+p was seen at the spot where Bill thought she would be found, lying silent and dark, her tall uished against the sky No one was observed erly the boats dashed forward to the posts allotted to thee had just hooked on when the sentry on the gangho had evidently not been attending to his duty, shouted out, and fired hisaft, but it was to encounter the crew of the barge, who, having cliained her deck Their officers at the sa up the companion-hatch, sword in hand, but were knocked over before they could strike a blow
The crews of the other boats had, in the ained the deck, but not before the rest of the French up from below armed with cutlasses and pikes, or such weapons as they could lay their hands on Though they made a bold stand, and endeavoured to defend the fore part of the shi+p, they had to retreat before the desperate charge of the boarders, ith cutlasses flashi+ng and cutting, soon hewed a way for the the deck on either side covered with dead or wounded men Not a word had been spoken, and scarcely a shout uttered, but the clashi+ng of steel and flashi+ng of pistolsforward
Thein the meantime carried his boat under the bows, quickly cut the cable, then allowing her to drift alongside, he sprang on to the forecastle, where he took charge of the party engaged in h he was severely wounded, went aft to the helot alongside, the prize, under her foresail and foretopsail, was standing down the harbour
Bill, having got hold of a pistol, kept close to Mr Saltwell, that he ht receive A few only of hisround the lieutenant when a party of the French creho had already yielded, led by the boatswain, a big, sturdy fellohose cutlass had already brought two of the English seaain the shi+p
The sailors had enough to do to defend the a desperate blow at the lieutenant's head, when Bill, who thought it a time to use his pistol with effect, fired, and the boatswain fell, his cutlass dropping fro down their weapons, cried for mercy
”I saw you do it, my lad,” said the lieutenant ”The second tilish sailors now had work enough to do to prevent the Frenchoff from the shore full of ar to board the prize Sail after sail was let drop, and the shi+p ran faster and faster through the water She was not, however, as yet entirely won Her crew, though beaten down beloere still very nuht, should they find the boats of their friends coain her The fort also had to be passed, and the garrison were sure to have heard the uproar and would open fire as soon as she got within range of their guns
Notwithstanding this, the British seamen performed their various duties as steadily as if they were on board their own shi+p Souns, ready to give the boats a warm reception, and others kept an eye on the prisoners
The breeze freshened, and the prize in a short time reached the uns from the fort, as had been expected, opened fire, and their shot, thick as hail, ca on board Several h None of the yards, however, were carried away, and the canvas stood filled out with the breeze
A number of prisoners had remained on deck, with sentries over them, as the shot struck the shi+p Several, to avoid it, endeavoured to escape below So to descend by the ladders, but leaping down, to the no ss
There was still , when he saw a shot co a party of prisoners Three fell; the rest, in spite of the sentries,a desperate rush, leapt down theFrench on the deck, and a voice crying out which he thought he recognised
He sprang towards the sailor, and lifted him up He was not mistaken; it was his friend Pierre
”Are you badly hurt?” he asked in French