Chapter XVIII: At Bay

AMID the heartfelt encouragements of their comrades the four swimmers, having divested themselves of their clothing, slipped into the sea. It now wanted nearly an hour to dead low ebb, so that for half the time allowed to cover the distance the intrepid men would be swept seawards, while the young flood would bear them shorewards once more.

Long we watched them, as, swimming with easy yet powerful strokes, they cleft the muddy waters of the estuary till to the keenest eye only four black dots were visible above the cream-coloured breakers.

Yet we were not idle, for we strengthened our defences, overhauled our stores, arms, and ammunition, and sent men out to bear us word at the approach of our foes.

Some of the Indians came in during the morning, bringing with them native fruits and baskets woven with rushes containing a dark, sticky mess. What this was composed of we knew not, but 'twas pleasant to the taste, and satisfying to boot, in spite of its appearance. Thus on the score of hunger and thirst we had no fear, and, confident of being able to withstand thrice our number of Spaniards, our hopes ran high.

It was almost an hour before midnight when our outposts brought in the exciting news that the Spaniards were close upon us. Instantly every man was at his post, handling his piece with the utmost coolness.

The moon was on the point of setting. Its deep yellow disc was just visible above the distant treetops, thus bathing us in its light, while the forest was in the most sombre darkness.

Although we lay low the Spaniards espied us. But they forbore to close, remaining at a distance, and keeping up a straggling fire with their arquebuses, the bullets singing well over our heads or burying themselves in the sand.

"They mean to play with us," remarked my father. "Then, when we are weary with long watching, they'll attempt to carry our position by assault."

"But they'll not do it, sir," added a seaman resolutely. "All our spare muskets are loaded with swan-shot. At close quarters that will be more than they can stand."

"We may as well encourage them," said my parent. "Do you order the men to gradually diminish the firing. Then, if they think our ammunition has run low, perchance they'll try to rush our defences."

Well can I recall that night. Behind their defences our men were laughing and talking as if in a peaceful camp, except the few who, at intervals, thrust their arquebuses through the rough embrasures, and aimed at the spluttering flashes of their foemen's muskets. On the high-lying open ground in our rear the three beacon fires burned furiously, throwing a ruddy glare upon the distant forest. The fires served a double purpose: they called our comrades on board the _Nonsuch_, to our aid, and also gave us timely warning should any of the Spaniards leave the edge of the forest.

Yet we did not come off scathless. A musketeer, just as he was in the act of aiming, had his trigger-finger shattered by a ball, and I call to mind how lustily he railed at his foes as comrades applied rough bandages to his severed member. Another seaman had his temple seared by a bullet, yet, when he had recovered from his temporary swoon, he insisted on again taking his place in the defence.

At length, as my father had predicted, the Spanish musketeers' fire burst forth most furiously, and at the same time a strong troop of horse bore down upon our left flank. These never had a chance, for ere they could close they became entangled in our barricade of thorns, and as the horses reared and plunged we fired charges of small shot into the struggling press. A few of the riders dismounted and forced their way through the hedge, only to be shot down or thrust through by push of pike; and in the utmost disorder the survivors fled to the shelter of the forest, pursued by the taunts and gibes of our exultant men.

Almost immediately an attack was made upon our right by a body of infantry, composed of both musketeers and pikemen. Had both attacks been delivered at once things might have gone badly with us, for the infantry came on with the utmost steadiness in spite of the hail of shot we poured into them.

Twice they gained a lodgment on our low breastwork, and each time we bore them back with musket, pike, and sword, till, finding that they were unsupported by their horse, the infantry gave back, leaving us with five dead and seven badly wounded men to show how fierce had been the conflict.

With that they left us in peace for a while, and as the sun rose we cast long and anxious glances, both to seaward, whence we expected the _Nonsuch_, and also across the estuary, where the pinnace had lain hidden and dismantled.

Seaward the horizon was unbroken, but, labouring heavily across the bay, we could see the slender masts of the _Damsel of Lyme_ swaying to and fro like a giant pendulum. The four gallant men had succeeded in extricating the pinnace from her retreat, and were sweeping her across the estuary, since there was not a sail left on board. Fortunately, the weather was calm, though the ebb ran strongly athwart the vessel's course, thus driving her far to seaward.

"Let us hope that it does not come on to blow!" I exclaimed. "Without canvas the pinnace would be unmanageable, and our own position worse than before."

"They'll fetch in all right on the flood," said one of the men encouragingly. "After all, what's the hurry? We are enjoying ourselves right royally."

The words were hardly out of his mouth when a dull boom came from the direction of the forest, and with a rush and a roar a round shot ploughed away part of the top of our rough breastwork, scattering the earth and stone in all directions.

The Spaniards had contrived to bring up a piece of ordnance and had commenced to open fire.

"Tut! This is more than we bargained for," quoth my father, plucking at his beard, as was his wont when annoyed. "'Twill be hazardous for the pinnace to be brought to land, and equally so to us while we embark. Now, lads, who'll follow me and drive those dogs from their gun?"

Every man within hearing signified his willingness to take part in the sally, but young Jack Staynton took upon himself to utter a protest.

"'Tis hardly right that you should go, sir, craving your pardon. If ill betide, who can worthily take your place? Moreover, 'tis better if the men chosen for this affair are young, active, and fleet of foot. Therefore I beg of you that I may take charge of the party."

For a few moments my father looked astonished at such a proposal coming from a lad, e'en though he were nearly full grown.

"You speak with sense, young master," he replied. "But you forget one thing--that your sire will hold me answerable for your safety."

"That safety must give place to the safety of the whole expedition, sir," said my comrade. "Therefore give me permission to lead the onfall."

In the end Jack gained his point, another shot rebounding from the earthworks hastening my father in his consent. It was my wish to accompany my companion, and since Jack had been allowed to face the risk I, too, obtained leave. From the crowd of volunteers we selected five young and active men, used to give and receive hard knocks, and zealous in their work.

Our preparations were soon made. Throwing off most of our apparel so as to permit the freest use of our limbs, we armed ourselves with a brace of pistols and a hanger apiece. One of the men also carried a hammer and half a dozen spike nails.

Crouching behind our breastwork, we made our way to the extreme right, where the cliff was about a score feet from the water's edge.

Fortunately the tide, though now on the flood, was still low, leaving bare a narrow track of mud and sand, sufficiently firm to allow us to walk without fear of sinking above our ankles.

Along the shore we crept cautiously, one after another, for by this means we could place ourselves within fifty paces of the position of the ordnance. The gun was partly screened by the trees that terminated almost at the water's edge, but with astonishing laxity the Spaniards had neglected to guard the base of the line of low cliffs. Had they advanced to the attack by this way, and taken us on the flank, things might have been different, but they had thrown away the opportunity, and we were making use of it.

When as close to the battery as we durst go without being perceived, we halted to recover our breath, for the climbing and wallowing through the ooze had somewhat tired us. Then, tightening our belts and looking once more to the priming of our pistols, we waited till Jack gave the signal.

Suddenly the gun thundered again.

"Now have at them!" shouted my comrade, and ere the white cloud of smoke had drifted from before the piece of ordnance we were tearing pell-mell across the intervening stretch of ground.

With a loud "Hurrah!" we burst upon the dumbfounded Dons, snapping our pistols full in their faces and falling upon them with our keen hangers. Not knowing our numbers, they gave back, shouting to their comrades for aid.

Meanwhile Skelton, the seaman entrusted with the task of spiking the gun, did his work right well, driving in the long nail right to its head, so that the metal, bending inside the bore of the piece of ordnance, could not be removed save by dint of much time and labour.

Our work completed, we turned and raced back to our comrades, heading straight for our defences instead of taking the way by the foot of the cliffs.

Now, the Spanish musketeers, guessing the nature of our errand, and seeing that we were not of their party, opened a furious fire upon us as we ran; while our men behind the breastwork lustily replied in order to keep down the enemy's fusillade.

It was a race for life, each man for himself, for the swiftest soon outstripped those who were slower of foot.

Thus far we had come unscathed, save for a few slight injuries, during our assault upon the Spanish cannoneers; but when about half-way across I suddenly felt a most terrible pain in my left leg, as if 'twas seared with a hot iron.

I staggered a few paces, then, in spite of my efforts to keep my feet, I rolled over like a felled ox.

In so doing I must have cried out, for Jack Staynton, who was but a few paces ahead, turned and ran back to me. Others in front also returned, while those behind crowded round, till the group offered a fine target for the musketeers.

"Tarry not!" I exclaimed feebly, but the others took scant heed of my words. Kneeling with his back to me, Skelton called to them to hoist me on his shoulders, and in a trice we were once more lessening the distance between us and safety, Staynton keeping behind me with drawn hanger as if to shield me from the chance of another shot.

Every stride of Skelton's long legs sent a dull aching pain through me, but even as he ran I could not help turning my head in the direction of the enemy's position.

"Put me down and run, Skelton," I almost shouted. "They come! They come!"

From the corner of the forest spurred half a dozen horsemen, all superbly mounted, and with fierce shouts rode furiously at us. As well might a palsied rat seek to 'scape a trained whippet.

"Nay, young master!" exclaimed the brave seaman. "To me, comrades; we'll drive these rascals off!"

Nevertheless he did set me down, and drawing his hanger stood over me. Jack likewise took his stand at Skelton's sword arm, while the others turned grimly like bears at bay in the baiting-pit.

Like a whirlwind the horsemen were upon us, seeking to ride us down. Skelton's hammer, hurtling through the air, ended the career of one of them, but ere he could properly guard himself he went down before another's sword.

Even as I saw him falling something struck me on the head. Thousands of red and white lights flashed before my eyes, and my senses left me.