Every heart beat with expectancy,
--every eye was riveted intently in front, to watch and
meet the first movements of their foes, but not a sound
of approach was audible to the equally attentive ear. In
this state of aching suspense they might have continued
about five minutes, when suddenly their hearts were made
to quail by a third cry, that came, not as previously,
from the banks of the river, but from the very centre of
their own decks, and from the top-mast and riggings of
the schooner. So sudden and unexpected too was this fresh
danger, that before the two parties had time to turn,
and assume a new posture of defence, several of them had
already fallen under the butchering blades of their
enemies. Then commenced a desperate but short conflict,
mingled with yellings, that again were answered from
every point; and rapidly gliding down the pendant ropes,
were to be seen the active and dusky forms of men, swelling
the number of the assailants, who had gained the deck in
the same noiseless manner, until resistance became almost
hopeless.
"Ha! I hear the footsteps of our lads at last," exclaimed
Mullins exultingly to his comrades, as he finished
despatching a third savage with his sturdy weapon.
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