Almost immediately a curly black head appeared in front of him and before he could open his mouth the deck was invaded from all side by a swarm of pirates; black, yellow, half naked, hideous and terrible.

Tartarin knew at once that it was "Them" The fearsome "Them" who he had so often expected at night in the streets of Tarascon.

Now they had arrived.
At first surprise glued him to the spot, but when he saw the pirates hurl themselves on the baggage, tear off the tarpaulin covers and begin to pillage the ship, our hero came to life.

Drawing his hunting knife and shouting "Aux armes!...

Aux armes!" To his fellow passengers, he prepared to lead an assault on the raiders.