"Furies!" exclaimed the pirate chief, "that fellow knows his business. But this will never do. Give them a volley of musketry." The loud roar of the Long Tom, and the rattling peal of the muskets immediately blended into one tremendous sound. That sound was instantly echoed from on board the ship; two cannon-shots and a dozen musket-loads again poured devastation upon the deck of the brig. "We must come to close quarters," exclaimed the pirate chief; "we are fast losing the advantage of superior numbers. The terrible skill of that devil with his cannon is destroying our superiority in that respect. Give me a loaded musket." He waited until a partial lifting of the smoke-cloud gave him a glimpse of the stout, manly figure of Captain Johnson, then, in an instant, taking aim, he fired. The ceaseless motion of the vessels destroyed the effect of his aim; and the man who was fired at escaped unharmed. "Pistols and cutlasses!" exclaimed Vance, much excited. "Prepare to board. Forward with your men, Captain Coe. Helmsman, put us alongside of that vessel at once." "That's the way to talk," said Afton. "We'll give the whelps no mercy now." "We may sink both vessels by collision," said Seacome, "in such a sea as this." "Then let them sink," cried the pirate chief, all of whose evil passions were now aroused. "Lay us aboard quickly, helmsman." The helmsman did his work skilfully; the starboard-bow of the brig was brought to bear gradually towards the larboard bow of the ship; and the two vessels approached each other in such a manner that their sides when they touched formed, at the point of contact, a very acute angle. The guards of the ship were above those of the brig; yet grappling-irons were cast from the latter and the vessels were made fast together. But the independent rolling and pitching of each of them, which caused them sometimes to "yaw" asunder, sometimes to come together with a crash that sounded like thunder, made the passage from one to the other very dangerous. STORY TWO, CHAPTER ELEVEN. THE BOARDING ATTACK. Together they came with a crashing and rending, While the sounds of the battle and tempest were blending. _The Lost Ship_. We will be true to you, most noble sir. _Avator_. Oh, spare my daughter! Take my wealth--I care not; But spare my daughter. _Old Play_. Villain, forbear! Throw down your arms--surrender. _The Assault_.