"Now we’re ship-shape," said Bulger. "Mind you, Burke, don’t come too far for’ard with your linstock. I don’t want the train fired with no sparks afore I’m ready. And ’ware o’ the breech; she’ll kick like a jumpin’ jackass when the shot flies out of her, an’ll knock your teeth out afore you can say Jack Robinson.--Ah! there’s the word at last; now, mateys, here goes!" He laid the gun, waited for the ship to rise from a roll, then took one of the matches, gently blew its smouldering end, and applied the glowing wick to the bruised part of the priming. There was a flash, a roar, and before Desmond could see the effect of the shot Bulger had closed the vent, the gun was run in, and the sponger was at work cleaning the chamber. As the black smoke cleared away it was apparent that the seaman had not forgotten his cunning. The shot had struck the grab on the deck of the prow and smashed into the forecastle. But the bow-chasers were apparently uninjured, for they replied a few seconds later. "Ah! There’s a wunner!" said Bulger admiringly. A shot had carried away a yard of the gunwale of the _Good Intent_, scattering splinters far and wide, which inflicted nasty wounds on the second mate and a seaman on the quarter-deck. A jagged end of wood flying high struck Diggle on the left cheek. He wiped away the blood imperturbably; it was evident that lack of courage was not among his defects. Captain Barker’s ire was now at white heat. Shouting an order to Bulger and the next man to make rapid practice with the two stern-chasers, he prepared to fall off and bring the _Good Intent’s_ broadside to bear on the enemy. But the next shot was decisive. Diggle had quietly strolled down to the gun next to Bulger’s. It had just been reloaded. He bade the gun-captain, in a low tone, to move aside. Then, with a glance to see that the priming was in order, he took careful sight, and waiting until the grab’s main, mizzen, and foremasts opened to view all together, he applied the match. The shot sped true, and a second later the grab’s mainmast, with sails and rigging, went by the board. A wild cheer from the crew of the _Good Intent_ acclaimed the excellent shot. "By thunder!" said Bulger to Desmond, "Diggle may be a rogue, but he knows how to train a gun."