Instead of boarding the East Indiaman, they found themselves on the decks of the Phantom Ship!
The confusion, uproar, and clanging of arms that now ensued were dreadful.
Sea-hawk, Dolphin, and the rest of the bold smugglers, fought like demons.
“To the boats! to the boats!” shouted Sea-hawk above the din of battle.
All his men endeavoured to fight their way back again to the boats as directed by the chief.
But their retreat was cut off.
The Skeleton Crew, infuriated against their old enemies, the smugglers, fought with desperation.
Pistol-shots scattered about the decks like hail-stones, and Tim, unfortunate as ever, had the misery to find that more than one stray bullet struck the cask in which he was hiding, and grazed his body and legs; but beyond a few scratches he escaped unhurt.
Sea-Hawk, as brave as a lion, fought long and desperately with the grim crew; but many of his men were dying and wounded around him.
“To the boats! to the boats!” he again shouted.