Captain Pearson cast a swift glance at the seamen of the Richard, who were now leaping upon his deck; but he drooped his head with a groan when he saw that he was powerless.
“The Serapis has struck,” said Dale to the man with the bandaged head. “Pass the word below.”
“Very well, sir,” said the man.
Ethan was watching this man curiously, and when he turned to spring below he found the young American confronting him with ready cutlass.
“Mr. Dale said pass the word,” said Ethan, sternly. “You need not bother about going below in person.”
That it had been the man’s intention to tell his officer to continue the fight was clear from the baffled look which he gave Ethan. The latter then stepped close to him and continued in a low voice,
“And another thing—I would very much like to have the paper which you took that night upon the by-road to London, Master Dirk Hatfield.”
At the sound of his name, the highwayman made a sudden forward leap and cut desperately at Ethan; but the young American’s guard was up and he caught the descending blade upon his own; then with a twist of the wrist he disarmed his opponent and held his point at his throat.
By this time the decks of the Serapis swarmed with American seamen. Longsword pinned the highwayman’s arms at his sides, while Ethan’s eager hands sought out the much desired dispatch. At length he drew it from an inner pocket and held it up with a cry of triumph.
John Paul Jones, who stood near, turned upon the boy as he heard the cry.