The Bonito is strongly built, but the chances are that they would knock a hole in her." "I should think, captain, that if we were to get up some of those bales of cloth, and fasten ropes to them, we might lower them over the side and so break the shock." "It is worth trying, anyhow," the captain said.
And a score of the sailors were at once sent down to fetch up the bales.

Ropes were fastened round these, and they were laid along by the bulwarks in readiness for being lowered instantly.

Ten bales were placed on each side, and three men told off to each bale.
By this time they were halfway to the mouth of the harbour, and the preparations were completed just in time, for the small boats suddenly drew aside, and two of the largest of the pirates' craft, each rowed by twenty-four oars, dashed at her, one on each side.

The captain shouted the order, and the men all sprang to their feet.

It was seen at once that the vessels would both strike about midships.