It was but a choice. Many were drowned, the rest cut or shot down by
the Mahrattas. Down came the Dutch flag, fluttering from the masthead
of the sloop, and the wild Mahratta yell proclaimed that the victory
was everywhere complete.
The frigates were now a sheet of flames, and the Mahratta craft drew
away from them; until, with two tremendous explosions, their magazines
blew up and they sank beneath the waters.
"I should scarcely have believed it possible," Charlie said, "that
three fine ships of war, mounting a hundred and four guns, could be
destroyed by a fleet of pirates, however numerous. Well, Tim, there is
no doubt that these natives can fight, when well led. It is just as
well, you see, that we did not attempt to offer any resistance, in
that clumsy craft we were on board."
"You're right there, yer honor. They would have aten us up in five
minutes. It makes my heart bleed, to think of the sailors of those two
fine ships. I don't believe that a soul has escaped; but in the small
one, some may have been taken prisoners."
When the fight was over, the craft in which were the captives ran
alongside the flagship of the pirate leader, and the captain reported
to him the capture he had made.
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