“Such a furious fight could not, in the nature of things, last long, but it came to an altogether unexpected conclusion. Captain Munson’s cutlass had broken off short and he closed with his enemy, grasping him about the waist. They both reeled backward—and suddenly vanished from sight. A hatchway had been left open, and in their blind fury neither had noticed it. Tripping on the coaming, they had plunged into it.
“Suddenly we heard a shot from the pirate craft, and then came a great cry. I could not make out what all the yelling was about, and turned to Sterling who seemed equally spellbound at the horror of the thing we had just witnessed.
“‘What is it? What are they saying?’ I demanded.
“‘They are shouting that the magazine is on fire!’ he exclaimed, ‘that a shot fired by the Englishman has ignited the powder!’”
“The words had hardly left his lips before a hot blast rushed full at me. I was knocked from my feet, saw a vast sheet of flame before me, and knew no more. When I came to I discovered Sterling bending over me. His face was very grave and serious.
“‘What has happened?’ I asked weakly.
“‘The pirate ship is blown up,’ he replied; ‘not a vestige of her is left.’
“‘And Captain Munson?’ I demanded, although I knew what the reply would be.
“Sterling removed his cap; a last tribute to a brave man.
”‘Has gone with her to Jones’ locker,’ he rejoined; ‘maybe it was better so. It would be just about here that his wife and baby died.’”