"Shiver my topsails, but this comes of disobeying orders,"
roared the boatswain, in a voice of mingled anger and
vexation. "The Ingians are quite as cunning as ourselves,
and arn't to be frighted that way. Quick, every cutlass
and pistol to his gangway, and let's do our best. Pass
the word forward for the axemen to return to quarters."
Recovered from their first paroxysm of alarm, the men at
length became sensible of the presence of a directing
power, which, humble as it was, their long habits of
discipline had taught them to respect, and, headed on
the one side by Captain de Haldimar, and on the other by
Sir Everard Valletort, neither of whom, however, entertained
the most remote chance of success, flew, as commanded,
to their respective gangways. The yell of the Indians
had again ceased, and all was hushed into stillness; but
as the anxious and quicksighted officers gazed over the
bulwarks, they fancied they could perceive, even through
the deep gloom that every where prevailed, the forms of
men,--resting in cautious and eager attitudes, on the
very verge of the banks, and at a distance of little more
than half pistol shot.
Pages:
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577