"Is it a wreck, uncle?" panted Rodd.
"I thought so, boy," cried Uncle Paul; "but don't talk. Slip on two or
three things."
He was still speaking, when there was a rush down the cabin stairs, and
the captain shouted--
"Quick, doctor! Your pistols and a gun! We are attacked!"
The words thrilled through Rodd, and the next minute he had seized a
double gun and was ready to follow his uncle and the skipper on deck,
where in the faint light of morning he found nearly the whole of the
crew gathered across the after part of the deck, armed with capstan bars
for the moment, while the mate and Joe Cross were rapidly handing round
cutlasses and pikes. The forward part of the schooner was in the hands
of strangers, all well-armed; others were climbing over the bows from a
boat which was made fast alongside, while hurried orders were being
given to them in French by a tall, dark, grey-haired man, sword in one
hand, pistol in the other.
"What's the meaning of this?" panted Uncle Paul to the skipper, while
Rodd felt as if he were not yet awake, and suddenly recalled the fact
that he had armed himself with a perfectly useless weapon, for in his
excitement he had forgotten powder flask and bullets, having instead of
the latter brought a belt containing small shot.
"Pirates or privateers, sir," replied the skipper hotly, "but just give
us time. Be smart, my lads. Pikes and cutlasses, and then all together
with a will!"
"For heaven's sake let's have no bloodshed, Captain Chubb!" cried Uncle
Paul, catching the skipper by the arm.
"Not my wish, sir," said the captain shortly; "but this is my schooner
while I command her, and I'm going to clear this deck."
"Ay, ay, sir!" came in a low, eager murmur from the men.
"There, sir," said the skipper; "you and the lad stand back. Ready, my
lads?"
"No, no!" cried Uncle Paul, who saw that the strangers forward, all as
well-armed as the schooner's crew, were eagerly waiting for the order to
advance from their leader, each party being ready to be let slip for
what might prove to be a desperate encounter.
Rodd grasped this, and then felt puzzled as he saw a youth of about his
own age suddenly elbow his way to the front to stand beside the leader.
Suddenly awakened as he had been from sleep, Rodd felt more confused
than ever, for the sight of the youth, who from his dress seemed to be
the second officer, added to his confusion, though for the moment he
could hardly tell why.