Owen, who had seen what had been taking place, at once went into the cabin and got his own pistols and cutlass, directing the second mate to arm the rest of the men. Still, notwithstanding the mutiny on board, he kept to his determination of fighting the ship till the last. Fortunately, the mutineers had no arms, and before they were aware of it all the true men had got their weapons.
“Now, my lads,” cried Owen, “if you refuse to do your duty, you must take the consequences. Go to your guns! The first man I see flinch from them I will shoot through the head.”
This threat seemed to produce its effect, and even Routh obeyed.
The stranger was now rapidly overhauling the Ouzel Galley, which, hauled on a wind, was standing to the south-east. Owen had got his guns ready for action; the crew were at quarters. Crippled as the Ouzel Galley was, he could only hope to succeed by speedily knocking away the enemy’s masts, or otherwise seriously damaging her; for, unable to manoeuvre his ship except very slowly, he could not prevent his opponent from taking up any position which might be chosen, either ahead or astern, and raking him at leisure—or she might at once run him aboard and overwhelm him with superior numbers. Still he bravely determined to fight till the last.
He anxiously watched the stranger to judge what she would do. She had at first set all the canvas she could carry, but as she came towards the Ouzel Galley she shortened sail, gradually also edging away to leeward, apparently for the purpose of preventing Owen from making his escape. The enemy had as yet not fired a shot. Directly, however, that Owen could get his guns to bear he fired them at her; not without some effect, but that did not make her alter her course.
“She intends to board us, sir,” cried the mate, who had been watching the stranger.
“You are right, but we will give her a broadside or two first, and maybe make her alter her purpose,” answered Owen. “Fire, my lads! and run in the guns and load again as fast as you can.”
The men stationed at the aftermost guns obeyed the order, but the shot from those forward, manned by the new hands, flew wide of their mark; it might have been from their ignorance of gunnery, but, considering their late conduct, it was too probable that it was done on purpose. The rest of the crew took good aim, and then running in their guns, reloaded them.
“Here she comes!” cried the mate. “She will be aboard us presently.”
As he spoke the stranger ranged up alongside, her decks covered with men. Four of the Ouzel Galley’s guns alone went off, and ere they could be again loaded the stranger was alongside, throwing grappling-irons on board to secure her prey.