Up went the Arab's sword again, Ken saw the glitter in his savage eyes, and thought it was all over when, in the very nick of time, a revolver spat and turned the fierce face into a blood-stained horror.
Struggling up, he saw Roy leap past and fire a second time at a man who was swinging at him with a rifle butt. The latter, hit in the shoulder, staggered, caught his heels in the rail, and went backwards into the sea.
On every side revolvers were cracking, there was a confused medley of blows, yells, and oaths. And all the time the launch, with no one at the tiller, and the boat fast alongside, charged wildly across the sea.
Man for man, the Turks were better fighters than the boarders, most of whom were civilians and unaccustomed to the use of weapons. But the latter were fighting for their lives and were splendidly led by Captain Carrington, Ken, Roy, and the two big sailor men. It was really the latter five who carried the day. They were everywhere at once, slashing and shooting like demons, and by degrees the Turks fell back before them.
Half a dozen or more were driven over the side into the sea, and left perforce to drown.
At last the Turks broke and gave way. Some dropped their weapons and flung up their hands in token of surrender.
'They've surrendered!' cried Captain Carrington. 'Give them quarter.'
At that moment Ken saw a Turkish officer, his face covered with blood, spring out of the crowd aft and rush forward.
'Look out there!' he shouted, and wrenching himself loose from the press, raced after the man.
The officer, however, had a long start, and before Ken could catch him, had reached the gun and was swinging it round.