A few of them then boarded her and were busily engaged in what appeared, from my distant position, as the emptying of the contents of various carboys upon the dead bodies of the sailors and over the decks and works of the vessel.
The last warrior to leave the deck turned and threw something back upon the vessel, waiting an instant to note the outcome of his act.
They approached like arrows shot from the bow of a skillful archer; and yet the sea ran so high that their speed was as nothing compared to the rolling of the billows in which the vessels were plunging first in one direction and then in another.
Two hours afterwards, the other vessels had overtaken the flagship, and the three, not venturing perhaps to enter the narrow entrance of the harbor, cast anchor between Havre and La Heve.
But the sea is so wide and deep that it is no easy matter to discover the exact spot where a sunken
vessel lies.
"It isn't easy to keep my place on board your
vessel. I can't help presuming to enjoy myself as if I was the owner.
"Professor, I am sorry for one of the best
vessels in the American navy; but they attacked me, and I was bound to defend myself.
"No," said I; "though if there were intelligence that a
vessel were now coming from Spain it is true I might, perhaps, wait for it; however, it is more likely I shall depart to-morrow, for the longing I feel to return to my country and to those I love is so great that it will not allow me to wait for another opportunity, however more convenient, if it be delayed."
With frenzied insistence I continued to press the little button which should have sent us racing out into space, but still the
vessel refused to budge.
"Let go -- and clue up!" At this last command all the sails were lowered, and the
vessel moved almost imperceptibly onwards.
Screaming and whirling in spiral tracks, they would accompany the
vessel, and at times alight on our yards and stays.
Supposing that they had thus appeased the anger of the captain, they thronged, as usual, in great numbers about the
vessel, to trade.