“‘You have the guns loaded?’ he asked.
“‘Ay, ay, sir, and the boarding-nettings up.’
“‘Can you make them out yet?’
“‘No, sir. By the sound, they are keeping close in to the shore. I have got the kedge anchor in a boat. Shall I lower it and row a couple of ship’s-lengths and drop it there, then we can warp her round, so as to bring all our guns to bear? I deferred doing that to the last, so that the fellows on shore should not know we were on the alert.’
“‘Yes; do so at once, Mr. Purvis.’
“The boatswain and two hands were at once called to the boat, which was then lowered and rowed off in the direction the mate pointed out. The anchor was let drop, and the boat returned to the ship, paying out the hawser over the [pg 44]stern. The captain had taken his place on the forecastle, and was looking anxiously ahead.
“‘I see them,’ he exclaimed at last; ‘they are coming out from behind that low point half a mile away. Haul on the hawser and bring her broadside to bear on them. Get the guns across to the starboard side, Mr. Pinder.’
“The ship was pierced for eight guns a side, and by the time the ship was swung round, they were all in position. The proas, now no more than a quarter of a mile away, were heading straight for us.
“‘Take a steady aim, lads,’ the captain said, ‘and fire as soon as you are sure of your shot.’
“In quick succession the guns spoke out. At the reports wild yells broke from the proas, and from the shore, now astern of us.