"Man the long-boat and make sure of yonder craft!" shouted Captain Jeremy. "Let go her anchors when you get aboard, or she may float off with the rising tide."
Even as he spoke there was a crashing report, and, clapping his hands to his head, our gallant Captain staggered and fell senseless to the deck.
One of the buccaneers, who had been left for dead on our deck, had treacherously shot him at almost point-blank range.
With a howl of rage some of our men threw themselves upon the villain and dispatched him with their cutlasses, while others hastened to raise Captain Jeremy and bear him into his cabin.
There we found that the wound, though dangerous, might not prove mortal. The bullet had ploughed a furrow just above the temple, and though the place bled profusely, Captain Jeremy soon recovered his senses.
His first thought was of the disabled buccaneering vessel. "Hath the long-boat pushed off yet?" he asked. "No? Then bid them go at once."
"Master Hammond," said Touchstone, on whom the command of the Golden Hope now devolved, "do you take charge of the boat. You know your orders?"
"Yes, sir," I replied.
"Then carry them out--but, hark'ee, mind how you board. Be careful; make sure she is quite deserted, and straightway examine her hold. I know the villains; unless I am much mistaken, they will have left a slow match to the magazine."
Taking my place in the stern sheets, I ordered the boat to give way, feeling highly elated at my first command, yet, withal, having a presentiment that 'twas a hazardous enterprise.