The Boulognese mariner was
foremost among his countrymen, and at that desperate emergency Ludlow and
Trysail fought in the common herd. Numbers prevailed, and it was fortunate
for the commander of the Coquette, that the sudden recoil of a human body
that fell upon him, drove him from his footing to the deck beneath.
Recovering from the fall, the young captain cheered his men by his voice,
and was answered by the deep-mouthed shouts, which an excited seaman is
ever ready to deliver, even to the death.
"Rally in the gangways, and defy them!" was the animated cry--"Rally in
the gangways, hearts of oak." was returned by Trysail, in a ready but
weakened voice. The men obeyed, and Ludlow saw that he could still muster
a force capable of resistance.
Both parties for a moment paused. The fire of the top annoyed the
boarders, and the defendants hesitated to advance. But the rush from both
was common, and a fierce encounter occurred at the foot of the fore-mast.
The crowd thickened in the rear of the French, and one of their number no
sooner fell than another filled his place. The English receded, and
Ludlow, extricating himself from the mass, retired to the quarter-deck.
"Give way, men!" he again shouted, so clear and steady, as to be heard
above the cries and execrations of the fight. "Into the wings;
down,--between the guns--down--to your covers!"
The English disappeared, as if by magic. Some leaped upon the ridge-ropes,
others sought the protection of the guns, and many went through the
hatches.
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