Cruising Along by Christian Lamb

Author:Christian Lamb [Christian Lamb]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781909657724
Publisher: Bene Factum Publishing
Published: 2014-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

He tells of how the captain, pilot and crew were taking up the floorboards and hiding their money and valuables; baskets of stones were brought up from the hold, which were to be used instead of firearms, and they all now, including his servants, changed into ragged clothes so as not to appear to be worth kidnapping. He continues:

‘The nearest pirate was now within two or three hundred yards of us and putting his helm down gave us a broadside from her guns; everyman on board now ran below except two who were at the helm. I expected every moment that these would also leave their posts – then we would be easy prey to the pirates. ‘My gun is nearer you than those of the Jan-dous,’ said I to the two men, ‘and if you move from the helm, depend upon it I will shoot you’. The poor fellows kept their posts; we had every stitch of sail set and a fair wind and were going through the water at a fair rate of seven or eight miles an hour. The shot from the pirates fell considerably short of us; I was therefore enabled to form an opinion of the range and power of their guns, which was of some use to me. Assistance from our cowardly crew was quite out of the question for there was not a man among them brave enough to use the stones which had been brought on deck; our pursuers were gaining rapidly upon us; again the nearest pirate fired upon us – the shot this time fell just under our stern. I still remained quiet, as I had determined not to fire a single shot until I was quite certain my gun would take effect. The third broadside came whizzing over our heads and through the sails without however wounding either myself or the helmsmen. The pirates now seemed quite sure of their prize and came down upon us hooting and yelling like demons, and at the same time loading their guns, evidently determined not to spare their shot. This was a moment of intense interest. The plan which I had formed from the first was now to be put to the proof; and if the pirates were not the cowards which I believed them to be, nothing could save us from falling into their hands. Their fearful yells seem to be ringing in my ears even now, after this lapse of time, and when I am on the other side of the globe.

‘The nearest junk was now within thirty yards of ours; their guns were loaded and I knew that the next discharge would completely rake our decks. ‘Now,’ I said to our helmsmen, ‘keep your eyes fixed on me and the moment you see me fall flat on the deck do the same or you will be shot.’ I knew that the pirate who was now on our stern could not bring his guns to bear upon us without putting

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