“‘But all hands were now at once called to arms, and it was lucky for Morgan that they were sober.
“‘The leviathan thought she would have an easy victory, because we had hoisted all sail, and were flying before the wind. The man-o’-war was coming up slowly, and we could hear the men’s wild cheers as they thought they should speedily overhaul us.
“‘The fact is, that we were running away in order to make better preparations.
“‘Morgan was making hand-grenades, and the men were loading the guns ready to run out, and sharpening their cutlasses till they were like razors.
“‘Then an extra supply of rum was served out.
“‘“Double the allowance,” cried Morgan, “if we sink and burn the Spaniard. If we don’t, we shall all hang to our own yard-arms, like herrings drying in the sun.”
“‘A wild, defiant shout shook the ship from stem to stern. Sails were clewed, only enough being left shaken out to manage her, and we waited for the man-o’-war to come along.
“‘We gave her a telling and terrible broadside as soon as she was near enough. As her decks were crowded, and it was unexpected, it caused fearful carnage. Away we went now before the wind again, but shortly tacked and crossed her stern.
“‘That was the most fearful volley of all, and so crippled the man-o’-war that her return volley or broadside did us little harm.
“‘We raked her again, and this time destroyed her rudder.