This was the plan proposed by Sir Robert, and agreed to by Ramsay, and to accomplish this, now that the troops were put to the rout, they had made a rush for, and obtained the boats.  As for the women left in the cave, they were perfectly secure for the time, as, without scaling-ladders, there was no possibility of the remaining troops, even if they were rallied, being able to effect anything.

That part of the crew of the Yungfrau who had perceived them rush down to the beach, reported it to Mr Vanslyperken, who had gone down to his cabin, not choosing to take any further part in the affray, or to risk his valuable life.  Vanslyperken came on deck, where he witnessed the manning of the boats, and their pushing out of the cove.

“They are coming to attack us, sir,” said Coble, who had been left in charge of the cutter when Mr Vanslyperken went on shore.

Mr Vanslyperken turned pale as a sheet; his eyes were fixed upon the form of Ramsay, standing up on the stern-sheets of the first boat, with his sabre raised in the air—­he immediately recognised him, panted for breath, and could make no reply.

The crew of the cutter, weakened as they were by the loss of most of their best men, flew to their arms; Coble, Cornelius, and Jansen, and Corporal Van Spitter were to be seen in the advance, encouraging them.

“Gott for dam—­let us have one slap for it,” cried Jansen.

“Mein Gott, yes,” shouted the corporal.

Vanslyperken started up.  “It’s no use, my men—­it’s madness—­useless sacrifice of life; they are two to one—­we must surrender.  Go down below, all of you—­do you hear, obey my orders?”

“Yes, and report them, too, to the admiral,” replied Coble; “I never heard such an order given in my born days, and fifty odd years I have served in the king’s fleet.”

“Corporal Van Spitter, I order you below—­all of you below,” cried Vanslyperken; “I command here—­will you obey, sir?”

“Mein Gott, yes,” replied the corporal, walking away, and coolly descending the ladder.

The boats were now within ten yards of the cutter, and the men stood irresolute; the corporal obeying orders had disheartened them:  some of them followed the corporal.

“It’s no use,” said Coble, “I sees now it’s of no use; it’s only being cut to pieces for nothing, my men; but I won’t leave the deck.”  Coble threw away his cutlass, and walked aft; the other men did the same, all but Jansen, who still hesitated.  Coble caught the cutlass out of his hand, and threw it overboard, just as the boats dashed alongside.

“Gott for dam,” muttered Jansen, folding his arms and facing the men who jumped on the cutter’s decks.  Ramsay, who was first on board when he perceived that the men were standing on the decks without making any opposition, turned and threw up the points of the swords of some of his men who were rushing blindly on, and, in a minute all was quiet on the decks of the Yungfrau.  Mr Vanslyperken was not to be seen.  At the near approach of the boats he had hastened into his cabin and locked himself in; his only feeling being, that Ramsay’s wrath must cool, and his life be spared.