Part 27 (1/2)
Tronson was sued that he considered it the work of his late friends Probably they were not far off, engaged in stowing away the cargo of the burning shi+p
”Then ill try and get up alongside one of theht,” said Roger
Tronson engaged, so far as he could, to enable them to do this The _Pearl_ stood on Unfortunately the fla on her white canvas, would betray her approach to the pirates, who at present, however, were not likely to have observed her Suddenly, as the _Pearl_ was about a couple of miles away, the flames were seen to rush upwards, and a loud explosion reached thedown like rockets from the sky; then all was total darkness The _Pearl_ passed close to the spot where she had been Not long after, the look-out, Charlie Ross, as looking out forward, saw a large shi+p hove-to on the starboard bow He hurried aft with the inforive his opinion He declared his belief that she was one of the pirate squadron
”Then ill stand on and hail her If she does not give a satisfactory ansill run alongside and couns will soon lead the _Ruby_ to the spot,” said Roger
Roger, hoping to take the pirate by surprise, deterht be either engaged in stowing the cargo of the captured vessel, or carousing after their victory
Bates was to lead the boarders over the quarter, while Charlie Ross was to guard the forecastle to prevent the _Pearl_ being boarded in return
He considered it his duty to remain on board to direct operations The _Pearl_ drew nearer and nearer to the stranger Upon getting close to her, Roger asked what shi+p she was An unintelligible ansas returned Accordingly, firing a double-shotted broadside into the stranger, he ordered the _Pearl_ to be run alongside Grappling-irons were thrown over her bulwarks and into her rigging At the sa on board Roger was not out in his calculations The greater nu hard and fast, as Tronson had thought likely So to their arms, but many were cut down before they had time to do so Some cried out for quarter, others fired up the hatchway The British crew fired down in return The deck in fiveAn attempt was made to blow up the shi+p, frustrated, happily, by Bates, and in ten minutes he and his handful of men had mastered the whole of the pirate crew He and they shouted, ”Victory! We have got full possession of her”
”Well done, Bates!” cried Roger ”Lash the fellows' arms behind as fast as you can, and send them aboard” Just as he had said this, three sail were seen standing towards the to rescue their consort Roger kept his prize fast, and ordered Bates, as soon as he had secured his prisoners, to work his starboard guns, while he co froreat probability of his being overpowered, for they all appeared to be large craft When the _Ruby_ hove in sight the _Pearl's_ crew uttered a cheer as they saw her, and she stood on towards their assailants, who, seeing her size, hauled her tacks aboard, and stood away to the north-east Not to be delayed, the pirates were bundled crop and heel into the boats and conveyed on board the _Ruby_, while Bates, as told to take command of the new prize, with the _Pearl_, stood in the direction they were supposed to have gone, the _Ruby_ steering in the saone round Cape Maze, at the eastern end of Cuba, and werewhich they had every prospect of escaping
”But what do you say, Tronson? Can you pilot us off the harbour where you suppose they have taken refuge?” asked Roger ”You will receive a handsoht of the pirates; whether we take them or not must depend on our own exertions; we do not expect you to enable us to do that, you may be sure”
Tronson did not answer for a minute; at last he said, ”Trust ht of theht you would succeed, as, should I fall into their hands I should be treated in a way I do not like to think about I know the island here they have gone to, and I can take you off theshi+p accoer course than they have taken, as she cannot cross the Bahama banks They, however, will not expect us, and if we can htfall, we o in with your boats, and perhaps obtain an easy victory I will draw you a ive you such full directions that I do not think you can er was fully satisfied that the plan Tronson proposed was the one to succeed, and was eager for thethe shi+p stood on without sighting any vessels ahead At daylight, the wind having dropped, Roger nal to the Co ordered in return to come on board the _Ruby_, he lowered his boat and quickly reached her deck
Captain Benboell pleased with the plan Roger suggested, which exactly suited his spirit As soon as they cae boats were to be lowered, with three other smaller ones, while the _Pearl_ and the new prize should each send another
Thus they would have seven boats ell-aruns in their bows As the as light, several days were passed before the little squadron got clear of the passage and was able to steer in the direction of the island to which Tronson had agreed to carry thee a number of the creould be away in the boats, the prisoners were doubly secured, and reminded that they would be instantly shot should they show the slightest sign of insubordination The weather was fine and sea sh there was sufficient breeze to carry the shi+ps through the water at the rate of five or six knots an hour Navigation now became very intricate, but Tronson behaved with apparent fidelity, and skilfully piloted them amid the shoals and reefs; without him it was evident that they would have been unable to proceed Just before darkness caer an island, or a collection of islands, with a few slight elevations rising blue and indistinct out of the calone; if you e as I advise you, you may trap the whole of them before to-morrow is many hours old”
As the shi+ps could not as yet be seen fro, the Coht up about a hts were kept concealed, it was hoped that the pirates would not discover them The creho had been told offMuch to their satisfaction, the Commodore had selected only tarpaulins to coer the other, while Bates had charge of the one belonging to his prize, also of good size; the master, boatswain, and Charlie Ross coer and Bates were to lead, the _Ruby's_ three s up the rear to assist where er, supposing Tronson had given hihly acquainted hioon where the pirate vessels were said to lie at anchor, that he expected to have no difficulty in finding his way The passage was soon gained, and with muffled oars the boats pulled on for a considerable distance; the cliffs formed the side of the channel, and had an ene work to get through Not a sound, however, was heard, except when here and there birds rose fro the branches, roused by the appearance of the boats; in other places the shores were covered thickly with trees, the channel now turning in one direction, now in another At length Roger saw before hioon, on the shores of which appeared a few buildings His attention was occupied chiefly by seeing four vessels anchored alate, the other three of ser deterreed to board the same vessel, while the other boats he kneould attack the remainder of the pirate's squadron
That they were the vessels they were in search of there could be no doubt The pirates, following their usual custoone on shore, and, trusting to their secure position, were not even keeping an anchor watch The British boats were up to theer boarded on one quarter, Bates on the bow; but, as they cli fro to their uns, others got hold of their hangers and s to oppose hiained the bulwarks, when he and his ained the bulwarks, and was about to leap down on deck, when a thrust of a pike sent hiht their way up the side, and succeeded in gaining a footing, driving back the pirates, ere atte to defend the after part of the shi+p Bates in the meantime had been ot on board, and furiously attacking the pirates had driven theers they beat theer's crew For soth he became anxious when he failed to hear his friend's well-known voice He had no opportunity of asking questions; and shouting to the ether, he attacked the pirates, who had rallied on the starboard quarter under their officers, and threatened to make a desperate attack to try and drive back their assailants Bates, however, shouted to his men to follow, and dashed forward and attacked the officer whom he had discovered to be the leader of the party Bates was an unusually good swordsman; in a moment the pirate's shirled out of his hand, the second blow stretching him on the deck
Their leader's fall somewhat disconcerted the rest; but they were desperate fellows, and again and again h the British; but several fell, and they had not advanced an inch In theaway, and the pistol-shots and the clashi+ng of hangers were heard amidst the cries and shrieks of the combatants The issue of the contest seemed doubtful even to Bates; for he saw so down the after hatchway, and he knew too well that their intention was either to blow up the shi+p, or to get forward and attack hi to his men, he made a desperate effort to drive those before him overboard Just at this juncture he heard a hearty British cheer, and old Ke: ”Come on, come on, my lads; we'll settle the scoundrels in quarter less than no ti this addition to their opponents, began to give way; some cried for quarter, others, panic-stricken, leaped over the sides; several tried to escape below, a few only fighting to the last; but Ke up, they were quickly overpowered,killed, except those who had asked for quarter
”Look below!” cried Bates ”Theythe hint, followed those who had disappeared down the hatchhile Bates and his men secured the prisoners In a short time old Kemp returned
”Was not aup the shi+p,”
he exclaih they had the mind, wanted the heart to fire the train”
”And where is your captain?” asked Bates of one of the prisoners
”There he lies,” answered the aily-dressed person whouish the officers from the men by their dress; and as far as Bates and Kemp could ascertain, the whole of the forht to the last, well knowing, should they be captured, a rope's-end and the yard-arm would be their doom The moment the last of the prisoners had been secured, Bates anxiously inquired for Roger Willoughby, hishim lest he should have been killed Some of hisback into the boat
Bates on this sprang down the side
”Thank Heaven you won!--hurrah, hurrah!” exclaier, who lay at the botto to his wound