“No one, sir,” replied the prisoner, in a soft and sorrowful voice; “but I had hoped that under the present circumstances, you would less severely observe the orders by which I became your prisoner.” “Have you forgotten that you were forbidden to hold any communication with the ship’s company.” “I did not come here for the purpose of holding communication with the ship’s company, sir; I came to see whether some friendly cannon ball would do me a good’ turn.” “You may, but too soon, have your desire accomplished, if you remain where you are now standing; therefore, believe me, you had better remain below.” “Is this your advice; or an order, captain?” “You have full liberty to construe it as you please.” “In that case,” replied the young man, “I thank you--I will remain here.” At this instant, another loud report was heard; but the two ships had by this time neared each other so much, that they were within gun-shot, and the whole tempest of shot passed through the sails of the Indienne. Two splinters fell from the masts; and the groans and stifled cries of some of the ship’s company were heard. The captain, at that moment, had his eyes fixed upon the prisoner, above whose head, a cannon ball had passed within two feet, grazing the mizen mast, against which he was leaning; but notwithstanding this death warning, he remained calm and unmoved, in the same attitude as if he had not felt the wing of the exterminating angel waft above his head. The captain knew how to appreciate courage--this incident was sufficient to assure him of the undaunted bravery of the man who stood before him. “Tis well, sir,” said he to him; “remain where you are, and when we come to boarding, if you should be tired of remaining with your arms crossed, take up a cutlass, or an axe, and give us a helping hand. You will excuse me not payings you more attention at this moment, for I have other things to do.” “Fire!” cried he, in a voice of thunder, through his speaking trumpet, “now, give it her: fire!” “Fire!” repeated the officers like an echo, at their different stations. At the instant, the Indienne trembled from her keel, to her royal mast head, as she poured her broadside into the enemy--a cloud of smoke spread itself like a veil, along the starboard-side, which was soon carried to leeward. The captain, standing upon the companion, impatiently awaited its clearing off, that he might ascertain the effect which the broadside had produced upon the enemy’s vessel. When his gaze could penetrate through the smoke, he perceived that the enemy’s main top mast had fallen, and had, with its sails, encumbered the after-part of the Drake’s deck, and that her other sails were cut to ribbons. Then putting his speaking trumpet to his mouth, he cried-- “Well done! my lads. Now watch her closely. They will be too busy in clearing away the wreck of their mast, to think of raking us--fire--as you can--and this time shave close!”