There was little enough time left over, however. The _Vulture_ approached rapidly and then crossed the bow of the _Mirabelle_ so narrowly that the _Mirabelle_ had to put hard about and Captain Blizzard roared orders to take in sail in order not to smash into the pirate vessel before it had been carried by the breeze beyond its prey. This maneuver by Claggett Chew momentarily threw the _Mirabelle's_ crew into confusion and turned their attention to the hasty management of their ship. To Chris, working with the men at whatever was most urgent, it seemed only an instant before the _Vulture_ was again alongside the _Mirabelle_, and Claggett Chew stood on the gunwale hailing them. "Heave-to, or you shall sink to the sharks!" he cried. "Look to yourself, pirate!" Captain Blizzard thundered in reply, and giving the signal, the unsuspected guns of the _Mirabelle_ belched out their deadly charges. Claggett Chew was knocked back to the deck of his ship, and Chris had time to see him shake off the hand of a sailor who would have helped him to safety. Chris also saw, peeking out from the doorway of Claggett Chew's cabin, the white horrified face of Osterbridge Hawsey, who "could not _stand_ the sight of blood--so _common_!" The face withdrew, and Chris could imagine the dandy playing cards or reading as best he could in the din until the battle should be over. [Illustration] The pirates, many wounded and all taken aback at the unforeseen presence of guns on board the _Mirabelle_, were tough fighters notwithstanding, and moved the _Vulture_ in ever nearer until the two ships, with fallen masts and entangled rigging, were locked on the brazen sea in deathly struggle. Brave as the seamen of the _Mirabelle_ proved themselves to be, the pirates were seasoned in pitiless combat. The guns of both ships roared and coughed and the battle raged through the noon into the afternoon. Finally, Chris could bear no more. The crew of his ship were weakening, even as were those of the _Vulture_, and shuddering though he was at the thought of the sharks in the sea, Chris knew he had to use every method in his power if any on board were to survive. [Illustration] Keeping his own form he jumped into the blood-tinged water, his magic knife open and ready in his hand. CHAPTER 33 The smoke of the guns of both ships so hung upon the air that Chris counted on its heavy curtain to screen him from his enemies. He swam to the far side of the attacking vessel and there forced his magic knife for the second time against the side of the _Vulture_.