Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/453

CH. XXXII.] want an example, however, for fight I will to the last drop of my blood, because the pirates are sure to give me no quarter, and they will most probably—kill you."

When we had regained the deck, we saw a boat on our starboard bow, about six miles off, making up to us with two large lug-sails: as she neared us we perceived she was perfectly crammed with men. The captain began now to be quite serious in his determination; spoke kindly and in an encouraging way to the crew; and we were ready for action. The lugger passed a head, and then came close down on our larboard bow, within musket shot of us. Our two guns on this side were loaded with grape, rusty nails, and pieces of iron, and I had undertaken to fire the priming with a cigar which I was diligently smoking for the purpose. For fear they should not think the guns were actually loaded, we had placed two men out upon them, in order that they might be seen by the lugger's crew at a distance, as