Again the combat raged at close quarters for an hour or more and again Merham’s men began to give way under the weight of superior numbers. This time it was Captain Smith who saved the situation by a desperate expedient. A number of Spaniards had gathered near the centre of the ship upon a grating which afforded them the advantage of an elevated station. Beneath this body of the enemy, our hero exploded a keg of powder. This had the effect of blowing about thirty Spaniards off the scene but at the same time it set fire to the ship. The flames sent the boarders scurrying back to their own vessels which sailed to a safe distance. Whilst Merham was engaged in putting out the fire the Spaniards kept their guns playing upon him, ceasing only at intervals to make proposals for surrender, at all of which the British captain laughed. When the flames were extinguished he invited the Spanish officers with mock ceremony to come on board his vessel again, assuring them that Captain Smith was yearning to afford them further entertainment. But the Spaniards had no longer any stomach for boarding parties and contented themselves with firing at long range until nightfall when they sailed away. Captain Merham took his crippled ship back to Saffi to undergo repairs and there our hero left him, after expressing his gratification for the diversion the privateersman had afforded him, and took ship for England. THE AMERICAN COLONIST XIII. A BAD BEGINNING John Smith becomes interested in American colonization--Devotes his money and his services to the Virginia venture--Sails with an expedition to the New World composed of an ill-assorted company of adventurers--They fall into dissensions at the outset--Each is jealous of others and all of John Smith--He is placed under arrest and a gallows erected for his accommodation--The emigrants grow weary of the adventure--When almost within sight of the continent they plan to put about and return to England--A storm decides the matter by sweeping them into Chesapeake Bay--A party is landed and has an early conflict with the Indians.