Christy drew one of the revolvers from his belt; but he did not fire, for he was as likely to hit his own men as their assailants.

The victors in the struggle dragged the two men into the forecastle, and disappeared themselves.
Christy was almost confounded by the suddenness of the attack; but he did not give up the battle, for he had at least six men in the after part of the steamer.

Bidding Landers draw his cutlass and follow him, he rushed out at the door he had before opened.

He could not see anything aft but the walls of cotton bales, with a narrow passage between them and the bulwarks.

He moved aft with his eyes wide open; but he had not gone ten feet before a man dropped down upon him from the top of the deck-load with so much force as to carry him down to the planks.
His assailant put his arms around him and hugged him like a bear, so that he could neither use his cutlass nor his revolvers.