Before the breath of it they went down in rows, strewing the deck horribly, mangled, riddled, blown in miserable pieces.
In a trice, too, the English masts and rigging were swarming with musketeers and sailors who poured hand-grenades among them like hail, scattering wounds and death.

The Frenchmen no longer thought of attacking.

Such was the panic among officers as well as common men that they were incapable even of resistance.

Scores who were neither killed nor wounded lay flat on their faces, counterfeiting death and hoping to find safety.
This carnage lasted, perhaps, for less than five minutes.
_L'Heureuse's_ consort was still near upon a league behind, and the other four galleys were still busily chasing the merchantmen.
Captain Barker looked and was well content.

But he had much work still before him, and to do it properly he must husband his ammunition.
He gave the order to board.