The carpenter and his mates were among those who remained, and the officer ordering some of his own men to assist them in stopping the leaks, directed them to man the pumps. The rovers obeyed with alacrity, for they had no wish to drown.
We four assisted them, and as the pumps clanged loudly the water spread over the decks, partly cleansing them from their bloody stains.
It was an anxious time, for I feared that the ship would go down before the boats could return. We pumped, and pumped away with might and main, while the carpenters stopped the most dangerous shot holes between wind and water.
It was a great relief at length to see the boats come back. They brought more men, and among them some carpenters from the frigates to assist in repairing the damages. The remaining prisoners having laboured so well, had the choice given them of continuing on board, and they gladly accepted the offer, promising faithfully to serve the Parliament.
Evening was drawing on, and the two frigates lay still hove to close to the prize, when, looking to windward, I saw the upper sails of several ships, which I deemed to be of size, rising above the horizon. I pointed them out to Martin, and asked if he thought they were Prince Rupert’s squadron.
“No fear of that,” he answered; “they must have been seen some time ago from the frigate, and they show no intention of trying to escape.”
During this time everyone on board was working away with a will, for there was much to be done both below and aloft, while the wounded men had to be looked after.
The captain had been taken to his cabin, where the surgeon had dressed his wound. Dick, who had been ordered to watch him, came rushing out after some time, looking greatly terrified, and declared that the captain was raving and swearing that he would rise and blow up the ship rather than yield to the Roundheads.
Fortunately we found the surgeon, who sent two men to watch over him, and Dick was relieved from his trying duty. A boat now came alongside with orders to remove more of the prisoners, and among them Martin and my two friends and I were ordered to get into her. In a short time we were conveyed on board the Constant Warwick, and found ourselves standing on her deck together with the other prisoners.
“Now is our time,” I exclaimed to Lancelot. “Let us go boldly aft and tell the captain who we are, or we shall be sent below and placed in irons with the rest.”