I knew that we were fighting desperately for our lives; that men fell heavily and with a groan on to the deck; that the maiden stood by us, undaunted; that presently there was a report of a pistol, followed by a hideous shouting and shrieking.

After that, all seemed to grow still of a sudden, and Ludar shouted, "Look to Humphrey." When I came to, we were still on the deck.

The maiden was bathing my brow with water.

Ludar, pale and blood-stained, stood gloomily by.

Of the enemy not a man stirred.