The crew flew to arms, but in great confusion; some were shot down,
others took refuge in the tops, others were driven overboard and
drowned, while others fought hand to hand from the main deck to the
quarter-deck, disputing gallantly every inch of ground. There were
three Spanish gentlemen on board, with their ladies, who made the
most desperate resistance. They defended the companion way,[1] cut
down several of their assailants, and fought like very devils, for
they were maddened by the shrieks of the ladies from the cabin.
One of the dons was old, and soon dispatched. The other two kept
their ground vigorously, even though the captain of the pirates was
among their assailants. Just then there was a shout of victory
from the main deck. "The ship is ours!" cried the pirates.
[1] The companion way is a staircase leading to the cabin of a
ship.
One of the dons immediately dropped his sword and surrendered; the
other, who was a hot-headed youngster, and just married, gave the
captain a slash in the face that laid all open. The captain just
made out to articulate the words, "No quarter.
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