From the ship above me flashed the fire of a pistol, and a ball whistled by my ear.
Wild with excitement, I laughed derisively.

The last strand was gone, slowly the ship forged ahead; but then the man on the gunwale gathered himself together and sprang across the water between us.

He came full on the top of me, and we fell together on the floor of the boat.

By the narrowest chance we escaped foundering, but the sturdy boat proved true.
I clutched my assailant with all my strength, pinning him arm to arm, breast to breast, shoulder to shoulder.

His breath was hot on my face.