After the first, discharge, no sooner had the smoke cleared away, than full twenty Frenchmen were seen stretched on the deck.
Bill had been standing near the first lieutenant. A marine had just loaded his musket, but was knocked over before he had time to fire it. Bill at that moment saw a French seaman run along the bowsprit with a musket in his hand. Bill, springing forward, seized that of the marine, and, as he did so, he observed the Frenchman taking aim at the head of Mr Saltwell, whose eyes were turned in a different direction.
There was not a moment for deliberation. Without ceremony pushing the lieutenant aside, he fired at the Frenchman, who, as he did so, discharged his musket, but immediately fell overboard, the ball tearing away the rim of Mr Saltwell’s hat, but without hurting him.
The first lieutenant, turning round, perceived the way by which his life had been saved.
“Thank you, my lad,” he said, “I see how you did it, and I’ll not forget the service you have rendered me.”
There was no time just then for saying more, for a party of Frenchmen were attempting to fire a carronade on their forecastle. Before they could succeed, the marines had picked off the greater number. Others took their places, but every man of them was treated in the same manner. At last the attempt to fire the gun was abandoned.
The French ship now getting a breeze, began to forge ahead. This enabled the Thisbe’s crew to bring their aftermost gun on the starboard side to bear, the first discharge from which cut away the gammoning of the French frigate’s bowsprit.
The two ships now separated, but were soon again abreast of each other exchanging broadsides; but so rapidly did the English crew work their guns that they managed to fire three to the Frenchman’s two.
A loud cheer burst from their throats as they saw the enemy’s maintopmast go over the side. The Thisbe now forged ahead clear of her adversary, and the breeze dying away, the firing ceased on both sides. Still the Frenchmen kept their colours flying.
The English crew were busily employed in knotting and splicing the rigging which had been cut away, and repairing other damages.