"That's so; and we have had a narrow escape."
"Everything seemed to be going along so well, that I suppose we were not as sharp as we ought to have been. But, thank God, we are still in a situation to do something; and we must act at once, instead of waiting till daylight, as I wished."
"What are you going to do?" asked the captain.
"I am going to let a part of the pirates come on deck—say three. We can take care of them very well."
I went into the cabin, and stated my plan to Sanderson. Leaving Palmer in the cabin with a pistol in his hand, and with orders to shoot the first pirate that attempted to enter the cabin, I went on deck with Franklin and the mate. I had no fear that a demonstration would be made upon the cabin from between decks until the battle on deck was ended. I told Walker, who was at the helm, to hail us forward if anything happened in the cabin, and we went upon the forecastle, to grapple in earnest with the emergency.
The wind came in fearful gusts, and the bark was laboring heavily under her present canvas. It was time that the courses were hauled up. I thought so when the vessel heeled down to her rail, and a heavy surge swept over the bow, and rolled down through the scuppers as her head lifted.
"This won't do," said the captain. "It's coming heavier and heavier every minute, and before we finish this business, the masts may be taken out of her. There she goes again."
The bow plunged deep down into the sea, and we took the crest of another billow on board. We were obliged to grasp the fiferail to keep from being carried over into the scuppers. Of course we were all drenched to the skin, and so were the drunken sailors, some of whom were tossed very rudely about by the rushing waters. But the effect upon them was decidedly hopeful. Cold salt water was the antidote of the rum they had drank. I agreed with the captain that we must defer the business to take in sail.
"Stand by to haul up courses!" shouted the captain. "Phil, you stay at the fore scuttle, and let Baxter take hold here."
"Ay, ay, sir!" I replied.