I was surrounded by several of the crew, who might well be called “Job’s comforters,” some suggesting one thing and some another; and many proposed that we should bring the junk round and run back to the Min.  The nearest pirate was now within two or three hundred yards of us, and, putting her helm down, gave us a broadside from her guns.  All was now dismay and consternation on board our junk, and every man ran below, except two who were at the helm.  I expected every moment that these also would leave their post; and then we should have been an easy prey to the pirates.  “My gun is nearer you than those of the Jan-dous,” said I to the two men, “and if you move from the helm, depend upon it, I will shoot you.”  The poor fellows looked very uncomfortable; but, I suppose, thought they had better stand the fire of the pirates than mine, and kept at their post.  Large boards, heaps of old clothes, mats, and things of that sort, which were at hand, were thrown up to protect us from the shot; and, as we had every stitch of sail set, and a fair wind, we were going through the water at the rate of seven or eight miles an hour.

The shot from the pirate fell considerably short of us, I was therefore enabled to form an opinion of the range and power of their guns, which was of some use to me.  Assistance from our cowardly crew was quite out of the question, for there was not a man among them brave enough to use the stones which he had brought on deck; and which, perhaps, might have been of some little use when the pirates came nearer.  The fair wind and all the press of sail which we had crowded on the junk proved of no use to us.  Again the nearest pirate fired on us.  The shot this time fell just under our stern.  I still remained quiet, as I had determined not to fire a single shot until I was quite certain my gun would take effect.  The third broadside, which followed this, came whizzing over our heads and through the sails, without, however, wounding either the men at the helm or myself.

The pirates now seemed quite sure of their prize, and came down upon us, hooting and yelling like demons, at the same time loading their guns, and evidently determined not to spare their shot.  This was a moment of intense interest.  The plan which I had formed from the first, was now about to be put to proof; and, if the pirates were not the cowards which I believed them to be, nothing could save us from falling into their hands.  Their fearful yells seem to be ringing in my ears even now, after this lapse of time, and when I am on the other side of the globe.

The nearest junk was now within thirty yards of ours; their guns were loaded, and I knew that the next discharge would completely rake our decks “Now,” said I to our helmsman, “keep your eyes fixed on me, and the moment you see me fall flat on the deck, you must do the same, or you will be shot.”  I knew that the pirate, who was now on our stern, could not bring his guns to bear upon us, without putting