The Three LieutenantsKingston, William Henry Giles
General
The Three Lieutenants
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Officers -- Juvenile fiction; Sea stories
Once more Long Tom was fired, loaded with langrage, which swept with
fearful effect across the deck of the corvette. Not a shot came from
her in return. The brig's guns were, however, again loaded; but just
before the triggers were pulled, down came the corvette's ensign! A
loud cheer burst from the throats of the British crew. Murray was on
the point of anchoring, intending to send a boat on board to take
possession, when a brig was seen dropping down the harbour, and followed
by three schooners, favoured by a light breeze off shore.
"See, my lads, here come more of them!" he cried, in a cheery voice.
"We will settle them, however, as we have done the corvette!"
"Ay, ay, sir, that we will!" shouted the voices of his gallant fellows.
"You wouldn't say so if you didn't intend it," he answered.
"Well, try and see how quickly we can finish them off."
The brig was some way ahead of the schooners, and Murray, anxious to
engage her before their arrival, put the brig about, assisted by the
light breeze, which just then filled her sails. Her commander, not
aware that the corvette had struck her colours, was little prepared for
the reception he was to meet with. As soon as Murray had got this fresh
foe within range of his long gun he opened fire. The shot, well aimed,
went crashing through her side; the second shot was fired before she got
near enough for the carronades to reach her. The belief that the
English brig had only one long gun prevented the Carthagenans from
attempting to escape. The next time Long Tom was fired, his shot was
attended by two from the carronades. The enemy replied with her
broadside, but most of her shot went flying over the _Supplejack_, while
others fell ahead or astern of her, wide of their mark. Not one of Long
Tom's shot missed, most of them striking between wind and water; and as
she drew nearer they told with still greater effect. At last the enemy
put about and attempted to run up the harbour. Vain were her efforts to
escape; the last shot striking her gave her her death-blow. With her
canvas all set and colours flying, gradually she sank till the water
washed over her decks, and her crew were seen scrambling aloft, leaving
the wounded to their fate. Within ten minutes of the time she got into
action her topmasts alone appeared above the surface. Just before this
the three schooners had come up and had opened their fire, but none of
their shot had struck the _Supplejack_; and their commanders, seeing the
fate of their consorts, came to the conclusion that discretion was the
better part of valour, and hauled down their flags amid the cheers of
the British crew. Murray lowered his boats and sent them to pick up any
of the brig's crew who might have been unable to escape aloft. The
lives of several were thus saved. The schooners also sent their boats
and took off the men from the rigging. The _Supplejack_ then stood back
for the corvette. Murray directed Higson and Desmond to take
possession.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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