Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/315

 OR, VULCAN S PEAK. 75 course would seem to be dead before the wind ; but she yawed incessantly, and often so broadly, as to catch some of her light sails aback. Most vessels take a good deal of room in running down before the wind, and in a swell ; but the Mermaid took a great deal more than was com mon, and could scarce be said to look any way in par ticular. All this the governor observed, as the vessels approached nearer and nearer, as well as the movements of those of the crew who showed themselves in the rig ging- &quot; Clear away a bow-gun,&quot; cried Mark, to Betts &quot; some thing dreadful must have happened ; that brig is in posses sion of the savages, who do not know how to handle her !&quot; This announcement produced a stir on board the Ran- cocus, as may vell be imagined. If the savages had the brig, they probably had the group also; and what had be come of the colonists? The next quarter of an hour was one of the deepest expectation with all in the ship, and of intense agony with Mark. Betts was greatly disturbed also; nor would it have been safe for one of Waally s men to have been within reach of his arm, just then. Could it be possible that Ooroony had yielded to temptation and played them false? The governor could hardly believe it; and, as for Betts, he protested loudly it could not be so. &quot;Is that bow-gun ready?&quot; demanded the governor. &quot;Ay, ay, sir; all ready.&quot; &quot; Fire, but elevate well we will only frighten them, at first. Wo betide them, if they resist.&quot; Betts did fire, and to the astonishment of everybody, the brig returned a broadside ! But resistance ceased with this one act of energy, if it could be so termed. Although five guns were actually fired, and nearly simultaneously, no aim was even attempted. The shot all flew off at a tan gent from the position of the ship ; arid no harm was done to any but the savages themselves, of whom three or four were injured by the recoils. From the moment the noise and smoke were produced, everything like order ceased on board the brig, which was filled with savages. The vessel broached to, and the sails caught aback. All this time, the Rancocus was steadily drawing nearer, with an intent to board ; but, unwilling to expose his people, most