Scotland/Scots > Wilson's tales of the Borders and of Scotland > Volume 3

THE ROTHESAY FISHERMAN.
63
“ Now, my ladssaid Captain Eose to his crew, “ we
must have a brush for it. I have no doubt those fellow
are pirates; and if once they get footing on this desk, I
would not give a farthing for any man’s life on board. Be
cool and quiet. Don’t throw away a shot; remember that
you are fighting for your lives ; I do not doubt your cour¬
age, but be cool and steady ! ”
In the meantime, the dark hull of the schooner was
gradually nearing us.
“Schooner ahoy!” shouted Captain Eose. No answer;
but the sweeps dipped faster into the water, which rippled
up beneath her bow. “ Schooner, ahoy!—answer, or I’ll
fire! ” Still no reply; but, almost immediately, a bright
sudden flash burst from her bow, and a shot came whizzing
through the mizen-rigging.
“ I thought so,” calmly said the captain; “ be cool, my
lads; we must not throw away a shot; he’s hardly within
our range yet.” The moon broke out for a moment.
“ Now, my lads, take time, and a steady aim. Give it
him! ” And flash, flash—bang, bang, went all our six
carronades. The captain’s advice had not been thrown
away; the aim had been cool and deliberate; we heard the
loud crashing of the sweeps as the grape-shot rattled among
them, and fell pattering into the water; and at the same
time a yell arose from the schooner, as if all the devils in
hell were broke loose. The next glimpse of moonlight
showed us her foretopmast hanging over the side.
“Well done, my fine fellows!” shouted Captain Eose
“bear a hand, and give them another dose. We must
keep them at arms’ length as long as we can.” The schooner
had by this time, braced up on the larboard tack, and was
standing the same way as ourselves, so as to bring her
broadside to bear upon us; and seemed to be trying to
edge out of the range of our guns.
“ Oh, oh,” said our gallant captain, “ is that your play,