“If you come three fathoms nearer, we’ll astonish your weak nerves; we shall treat you as pirates, and sink you.”
There was simply an ironical cheer by way of reply.
“Get the fat in the fire now,” shouted Reeves to the engineer. “Get all pressure of steam up, anyhow. Now, mate.”
The first gun was run out and fired.
Brr—rr—rang!
Hardly had the smoke cleared away ere we could notice the consternation on board the black one.
The funnel was a wreck.
“Change your course and haul off, or we’ll give you another,” cried Reeves.
No notice was taken by the enemy.
The mate took very great pains indeed with this second shot.