We were immediately accosted by the mate, who was lashed down to a ringbolt
close by the bits, with his hands tied at the wrists by sharp cords, so
tightly that the blood was spouting from beneath his nails.
"We have been surprised by a privateer schooner, sir; the lieutenant of
her, and twelve men, are now in the cabin."
"Where are the rest of the crew?"
"All secured in the forecastle, except the second mate and boatswain, the
men who hailed you just now; the last was knocked on the head, and the
former was stabbed and thrown overboard."
We immediately released the men, eighteen in number, and armed them with
boarding pikes. "What vessel is that astern of us?" said Treenail to the
mate. Before he could answer, a shot from the brig fired at the privateer
showed she was broad awake. Next moment Captain Deadeye hailed. "Have you
mastered the prize crew, Mr Treenail?"--"Aye, aye, sir."--"Then keep your
course, and keep two lights hoisted at your mizzen peak during the night,
and blue Peter at the main topsail yardarm when the day breaks; I shall
haul my wind after the suspicious sail in your wake."
Another shot, and another, from the brig--the time between each flash and
the report increasing with the distance. By this the lieutenant had
descended to the cabin, followed by his people, while the merchant crew
once more took the charge of the ship, crowding sail into the body of the
fleet.
I followed him close, pistol and cutlass in hand, and I shall never forget
the scene that presented itself when I entered.
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