The men seized their arms in readiness.

The boats dashed through the water at full speed.

The next moment hundreds of hardy British sailors were swarming up the sides of the French vessels, uttering cheers and shouts of triumph the while.
Humphrey and Julian were amongst the first to spring upon the deck of the Bienfaisant.

The startled crew were just rushing up from below, having been made aware of the peril only a few seconds earlier.

Some of them were but half dressed; few of them knew what it was that was happening.