Stories with a Vengeance — page 64: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

60 THE CAPTAIN Passengers and crew were about ninety ju number, tolerably well armed. On reaching the skirts of the wood, to their great surprise they found a body, nearly double their number, composed for the most part of Arabs, Negroes, but with many of undoubted European origin amongst them. : The captain surveyed them with alarm. “They are indeed pirates,” he said, ‘‘and of the worst class. No wonder so many vessels have mysteriously disappeared. Away, Temple, and bring up the swivel gun out of the launch. We have but one re- source—to fight. These wretches will show us no mercy. I will parley.” And he stepped forward. As he did so, and lifted his hand, the whole body halted, yelling and shouting. One, however, advanced. He was a stalwart man, of commanding mien, and great physical power. He wore an Arab costume, with a turban, but he was undoubtedly a European. Captain Harcourt knewseveral languages, but determined to try English first. ‘Who are you, and what do you want ?” he asked. “1 am the master of this island,” was the haughty reply; “and everything on it belongs to me. Surrender quietly, and your lives will be spared. Resist, and you le.” “We are a hundred well-armed English- men, and will defend our lives to the last!’ said Captain Harcourt. ‘The man laughed, and waving his men to advance, they obeyed, and came rushing in, to be met, however, by such a withering fire as drove them back in disorder. The chief, having led his men out of harm’s way, held council. They had relied upon an easy victory. After some consultation, they drew half to the right and half to the left, evidently bent on outflanking the foe. Meanwhile Captain Harcourt, Sir Ralph, and one or two military men had consulted toyether. {t was determined to make a desperate stand for awhile, during which time the women were to be put on board the boats. Then, after one tremendous volley, the survivors were to run and joi them. This was at once acted on, and sufficient force sent to carry out orders. Meanwhile, the pirates, considerably re- inforced, were collected in two columns. The signal being given, they came on, at first slowly, and then with a rush. The wrecked crew and passengers met them with a volley, both from their own guns and the swivel gun, which checked the Google roomen,,. OF THE FORTUNE. advance of the pirates considerably ; after which they took to their heels, loading as they fled. But the worthless gang of rene- gades and outcasts and deserters dashed after them with the speed of deer-hounds, and before they could reach the boats they had to turn and defend themselves against more than double their number. “Down on your knees, miserable in- fidels !” cried the leader, as the whole party faced them. | “Never!” replied Captain Harcourt. “Come on, and see how Englishmen can die! Push off the boats!” he shouted. “ Away!” With a yell, the savage pirates rushed in. A. desperate volley saluted them, to which, however, they made no response, for from behind came a ringing and terrible cry. “ Down with the villams! Old England for ever !” The whole gang broke and fled. Po CHAPTER IV. WHAT CAME OF IT. _ As soon as the conference with Hatton was over, the Captain of the Fortune went on deck with the old sailor, who pointed out the direction which he was of opinion the ship should take. It was on the opposite side of the island to that by which the raft and boats had landed. The ship was carried in very carefully, Bill Hatton standing in the chains to guide the helmsman. When the Fortune was about three- quarters of a mile from the shore, Hatton advised anchoring, and only taking the boats. Every man who could be spared from the ship was drafted into the smaller craft. When about half a mile from the shore, the sea became very “choppy,” owing to the swell meeting from opposite directions round the island. They sounded, and found seven fathoms and a half. As the cliffs sloped down here to the shore sufficiently to make it prac- ticable to climb them, this spot was se- lected. They all landed safely, and at once climbing the hills, descended into a plain, where locomotion was very difficult, owing to the rough nature of the ground and the length of the grass, which was several feet high. Hatton acted as guide. Suddenly they stopped at a small hut, about seven feet high, eight feet long, and six feet wide, @ © = a JOO S CO)