The World of Ice | Page 4

sternly. The sailor went below
with a sulky fling.
For nearly an hour the two vessels cut through the water before a steady
breeze, during which time the fast-sailing schooner gradually
overhauled the heavy West-Indiaman, until she approached within
speaking distance. Still Captain Ellice paid no attention to her, but
stood with compressed lips beside the man at the wheel, gazing
alternately at the sails of his vessel, and at the windward horizon, where
he fancied he saw indications that led him to hope the breeze would fail
ere long.
As the schooner drew nearer, a man leaped on the hammock-nettings,
and, putting a trumpet to his mouth, sang out lustily: "Ship ahoy, where
are you from and what's your cargo?"
Captain Ellice made no reply, but ordered four of his men on deck to
point one of the stern-chasers.
Again the voice came harshly across the waves, as if in passion:
"Heave to, or I'll sink you." At the same moment the black flag was run
up to the peak, and a shot passed between the main and fore-mast.

"Stand by to point this gun," said the captain in a subdued voice.
"Ay, ay, sir!"
"Fetch a red-hot iron; luff, luff a little--a little more--steady, so." At the
last word there was a puff and a roar, and an iron messenger flew
towards the schooner. The gun had been fired more as a reply of
defiance to the pirate, than with the hope of doing him any damage, but
the shot had been well aimed--it cut the schooner's main-sail-yard in
two, and brought it rattling down on deck. Instantly the pirate yawed
and delivered a broadside, but in the confusion on deck the guns were
badly aimed, and none took effect. The time lost in this manoeuvre,
added to the crippled condition of the schooner, enabled the
West-Indiaman to gain considerably on her antagonist, but the pirate
kept up a well-directed fire with his bow-chasers, and many of the shots
struck the hull, and cut the rigging seriously. As the sun descended
towards the horizon the wind fell gradually, and ceased at length
altogether, so that both vessels lay rolling on the swell with their sails
flapping idly against the masts.
"They're a gittin' out the boats, sir," remarked John Buzzby, who,
unable to restrain himself any longer, had crept upon deck at the risk of
another reprimand; "and, if my eyes be'nt deceiving me, there's a sail
on the horizon to wind'ard--leastways, the direction which wos wind'ard
afore it fell calm."
"She's bringing a breeze along with her," remarked the captain, "but I
fear the boats will come up before it reaches us. There are three in the
water, and manned already. There they come. Now, then, call up all
hands."
In a few seconds the crew of the West-Indiaman were at their stations,
ready for action, and Captain Ellice, with Fred at his elbow, stood
beside one of the stern-chasers. Meanwhile, the boats of the pirate--
five in number--pulled away in different directions, evidently with the
intention of attacking the ship at different points. They were full of men
armed to the teeth. While they rowed towards the ship the schooner
resumed its fire, and one ball cut away the spanker boom, and slightly

wounded two of the men with splinters. The guns of the ship were now
brought to bear on the boats, but without effect, although the shot
plunged into the water all round them. As they drew nearer, a brisk fire
of musketry was opened on them, and the occasional falling of an oar
and confusion on board showed that the shots told. The pirates replied
vigorously, but without effect, as the men of the ship were sheltered by
the bulwarks.
"Pass the word to load and reserve fire," said the captain, "and hand me
a musket, Fred. Load again as fast as I fire." So saying, the captain took
aim, and fired at the steersman of the largest boat, which pulled
towards the stern. "Another, Fred--"
At this moment a withering volley was poured upon the boat, and a
savage yell of agony followed, while the rowers--who remained
unhurt--paused for an instant as if paralysed. Next instant they
recovered, and another stroke would have brought them almost
alongside, when Captain Ellice pointed the little carronade and fired.
There was a terrific crash, the gun recoiled violently to the other side of
the deck, and the pirate boat sank, leaving the sea covered with dead
and wounded men. A number, however, who seemed to bear charmed
lives, seized their cutlasses with their teeth, and swam boldly for the
ship. This incident, unfortunately, attracted too much of the attention of
the crew, and, ere they could prevent it, another boat reached the bow
of the ship, the