"Just take my place, sir, by the door.
I'm going to use my little hunting rifle now alongside of Gregory; and if a man does reach that boat I'm going to know the reason why.

I'm not much given to boasting, but I can shoot straight." He had already proved it to some purpose, and without a word the captain took his place by the barricade, while the major went into his own cabin and returned with a little double rifle and a pouch of ammunition.
"I did not want to use this," he said; "but things are growing serious." The prau had by this time been rowed to its station, and from the stir on deck it was now evident that the brass swivel-gun was being loaded and preparations made to send a volley of missiles tearing through the stern windows.
"That will be awkward, Gregory," said the major.
"Do a lot of damage, sir," said the mate coolly.

"They are so low down in the water that they can't send a shot along our floor.

The charge will go right up and through the deck." "Well, at any rate I think I'll try and stop them." "By all means," said the mate, and he watched keenly as the major knelt down, resting his rifle on the sill and taking aim, but waiting.
All at once there was a puff of smoke, a sharp crack, and at the same moment a deafening report from the prau, but the charge of missiles went hurtling and screaming up through the mizen rigging and away over the ship to sea.
The major's shot was more successful, for a man fell.
"He was a little too quick for me," said the major, reloading and waiting for another chance.

"Nasty work this!" he added; "but I suppose it's necessary." "Necessary, sir!" cried Gregory angrily; "think of those poor women in the cabin." There was a sharp crack from the major's rifle, and another man fell.
"That's the left barrel!" said the major, reloading.