"We don't want them much within a hundred yards of us," said Capt. Mazard in a low tone.
"I'll hail them," replied Raed, taking the speaking-trumpet, which the captain had brought along.
The crisis was close at hand. We clutched the stocks of our rifles, and stood ready. There was, I am sure, no blenching nor flinching from the encounter which seemed imminent. We could see the faces of the men in the boat, the red face of the officer in the stern. The men were armed with carbines and broad sabers. They had come within easy hail.
"Present arms!" commanded Capt. Mazard in clear tones.
Eight of us, with our rifles, stood fast.
"Repel boarders!"
Instantly we dropped on one knee, and brought our pieces to bear over the rail, the bayonets flashing as brightly as their own.
"Boat ahoy!" shouted Raed through the trumpet.
"Ahoy yourself!" roared the red-faced man in the stern. "What ship is that, anyway?"
This was rather insulting talk: nevertheless, Raed answered civilly and promptly,—