Had not Pitt, her master, himself seized the whipstaff and put the
helm hard over to swing her sharply off to starboard, she must have
suffered still worse from the second volley that followed fast upon
the first.
Meanwhile it had fared even worse with the frailer Infanta.
Although hit by one shot only, this had crushed her larboard timbers
on the waterline, starting a leak that must presently have filled
her, but for the prompt action of the experienced Yberville in
ordering her larboard guns to be flung overboard. Thus lightened,
and listing now to starboard, he fetched her about, and went
staggering after the retreating Arabella, followed by the fire of
the fort, which did them, however, little further damage.
Out of range, at last, they lay to, joined by the Elizabeth and the
San Felipe, to consider their position.
CHAPTER XVII
THE DUPES
It was a crestfallen Captain Blood who presided over that hastily
summoned council held on the poop-deck of the Arabella in the
brilliant morning sunshine. It was, he declared afterwards, one
of the bitterest moments in his career.
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