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.