As Captain Risk expected, however, at midnight he could see six boat-loads approaching in the moonlight. He stationed his men, and they knew that before Captain Risk would strike to the enemy he would apply a match to the magazine, so every man determined to die at his station. As soon as the enemy’s boats were distinguishable in their dim outlines, a rapid discharge of the twelve-pounders and the muskets began. The English separated and dashed forward. The plan was well executed, since almost at once the six boats came alongside at different points. [Illustration: Captain Risk engaged two seamen, cutlass in one hand and pistol in the other.] Fighting like demons, the crews of the boats were determined to avenge the day’s repulse and gain the deck. The English were driven back amidships and astern where Captain Risk led his men; but in the forward chains the English were in such numbers that they clambered up so fast that the Yankees were driven back. When Captain Risk saw the English gathering for a rush from the forecastle, he grabbed a match and turning the long tom forward, he applied the fire. He then called his men to his side to drive the English back into their boats. But the English had too many. When the long tom dealt its carnage, enough remained to rush upon Risk and his little band, where a hand-to-hand encounter ensued. Rushing at the head of his men into the fight, Captain Risk engaged two seamen, and with cutlass in one hand and pistol in the other, he shot one through the shoulder and sent the other reeling to the deck with a cutlass stroke on his head. Being now pressed on all sides, Risk rushed with a match to the companion-way to throw it into the magazine; but he was shot in the forehead and killed before he could accomplish his object. The Americans, now officerless, were forced upon the quarter-deck; the crew was overpowered from all sides, and the colors hauled down by the enemy. But the victory was dearly bought by the English. In this last encounter twenty Englishmen were killed and thirty-two wounded. Among those that were wounded was Barclugh. When Captain Risk rushed upon the two seamen that were advancing upon him, the one that he shot in the shoulder was Barclugh. Faint with the loss of blood, and stunned by the shock, Barclugh crawled very humbly back into his boat, and sat there until he was carried to the sloop. He was not fatally hurt, but his arm pained him severely. When the sloop was reached, Barclugh got aboard without the assistance of his mates, but, once below, he crawled to his cabin door. He found William Atkinson soundly asleep, snoring like a porpoise blowing. When he awoke the man-o’-war’s man, Atkinson exclaimed: “Lor’ bless me, sir, you’re shot! I was dreamin’ how’s somethin’ was happenin’ to you, sir. So let me ’elp you to bed and get you some water or brandy. Here, let me get on my own clothes, as I am sure to be blamed for these ’appenin’s.