H. Bedford-Jones

“ CHAPTER VII WHILE it was true that Lieutenant Brouillan knew Trenchard by sight, it was equally true that he did not know the schooner by sight. Few men did. None the less, as his smart little cutter steamed down at her, he thrilled to the possibility that he had caught the pirate at last. ”

“ Sight of the deck, however, sickened him. Five of his own men were sprawled out dead; most of the others were somehow wounded, yet were wildly exultant and filled with savage fury of battle. They were dragging two wounded French seamen to the rail, and were about to hurl them over the side when Trenchard was upon them.
“Stop that! Get out the whaleboat—look sharp, now! Two of you take a drag on the capstan and bring in that hawser taut. We're off the reef and the wind is here. Out with the whaleboat! Put these two men into her. The officer is down in my cabin. ”

“ If Brouillan did not search the cabins, the game was won. If he insisted on making a thorough search, however, then there was nothing for it but to go down fighting, make a desperate effort, and take what was meted out. ”