“I think, my lord,” the Genoese said, “that the plan is an excellent one, and promises every success.  If your men will all go below, holding their arms in readiness for the signal, mine shall prepare grapnels and ropes, and the first of these craft which comes alongside they will lash so securely to the “Rose” that I warrant me she gets not away.”

These preparations were soon made.

The soldiers, who at first had been filled with apprehension at the thought of slavery among the infidels, were now delighted at the prospect of a struggle ending in escape.

The archers prepared their bows and arrows, and stood behind the port-holes in readiness to pour a volley into the enemy; the men-at-arms grasped their pikes and swords; while above, the sailors moved hither and thither as if making preparations for defence, but in reality preparing the grapnels and ropes.

One of the pirates was faster than the other, and soon coming within reach, poured flights of javelins and stones upon the “Rose” from powerful machines, which she carried in her bow.

The crew of the “Rose” replied with their crossbows and arrows from the poop.

The corsair at first did not keep her course direct for the ship, but rowed round her, shooting arrows and casting javelins.  Then, apparently satisfied that no great precaution need be observed with a feebly-manned ship in so great a strait as the “Rose,” they set up a wild cry of “Allah!” and rowed towards her.

In two minutes the corsair was alongside of the “Rose,” and the fierce crew were climbing up her sides.  As she came alongside the sailors cast grapnels into her rigging, and fastened her to the “Rose;” and then aloud shout of “Hurrah for England!” was heard; the ports opened, and a volley of arrows was poured upon the astonished corsair; and from the deck above the assailants were thrown back into the galley, and a swarm of heavily armed men leapt down from the ship upon them.

Taken by surprise, and indeed outnumbered, the resistance of the corsairs was but slight.  In a close fierce m^l,e like this the light-armed Moors had but little chance with the mail-clad English, whose heavy swords and axes clove their defences at a blow.  The fight lasted but three minutes, and then the last of the corsairs was overboard.

The men who rowed the galley had uttered the most piercing cries while this conflict had been raging.  They were unable to take any part in it, had they been disposed to do so, for they were all slaves chained to the oars.

Scarcely had the conflict ended when the other galley arrived upon the scene; but seeing what had happened, and that her consort had fallen into the hands of the English, she at once turned her head, and rowed back rapidly to the town from which she had come.

Among the slaves who rowed the galley were many white men, and their cries of joy at their liberation greatly affected those who had thus unexpectedly rescued them.  Hammers were soon brought into requisition, the shackles struck off them, and a scene of affecting joy took place.  The slaves were of all nationalities, but Italians and Spaniards, French and Greeks, formed the principal part.  There was no time, however, to be lost; the arms and munitions of war were hastily removed from the “Rose,” together with the most valuable of the stores.