The pirates, many wounded and all taken aback at the unforeseen presence of guns on board the Mirabelle, were tough fighters notwithstanding, and moved the Vulture in ever nearer until the two ships, with fallen masts and entangled rigging, were locked on the brazen sea in deathly struggle.
Brave as the seamen of the Mirabelle proved themselves to be, the pirates were seasoned in pitiless combat. The guns of both ships roared and coughed and the battle raged through the noon into the afternoon. Finally, Chris could bear no more. The crew of his ship were weakening, even as were those of the Vulture, and shuddering though he was at the thought of the sharks in the sea, Chris knew he had to use every method in his power if any on board were to survive.
Keeping his own form he jumped into the blood-tinged water, his magic knife open and ready in his hand.
CHAPTER 33
he smoke of the guns of both ships so hung upon the air that Chris counted on its heavy curtain to screen him from his enemies. He swam to the far side of the attacking vessel and there forced his magic knife for the second time against the side of the Vulture.