The resolute Ogle was making excellent practice, and fully justifying his claims to know something of gunnery.  In their consternation the Spaniards had simplified his task by huddling their boats together.

After the fourth shot, opinion was no longer divided amongst them.  As with one accord they went about, or attempted to do so, for before they had accomplished it two more of their boats had been sunk.

The three boats that remained, without concerning themselves with their more unfortunate fellows, who were struggling in the water, headed back for the wharf at speed.

If the Spaniards understood nothing of all this, the forlorn islanders ashore understood still less, until to help their wits they saw the flag of Spain come down from the mainmast of the Cinco Llagas, and the flag of England soar to its empty place.  Even then some bewilderment persisted, and it was with fearful eyes that they observed the return of their enemies, who might vent upon them the ferocity aroused by these extraordinary events.

Ogle, however, continued to give proof that his knowledge of gunnery was not of yesterday.  After the fleeing Spaniards went his shots.  The last of their boats flew into splinters as it touched the wharf, and its remains were buried under a shower of loosened masonry.

That was the end of this pirate crew, which not ten minutes ago had been laughingly counting up the pieces of eight that would fall to the portion of each for his share in that act of villainy.  Close upon threescore survivors contrived to reach the shore.  Whether they had cause for congratulation, I am unable to say in the absence of any records in which their fate may be traced.  That lack of records is in itself eloquent.  We know that they were made fast as they landed, and considering the offence they had given I am not disposed to doubt that they had every reason to regret the survival.

The mystery of the succour that had come at the eleventh hour to wreak vengeance upon the Spaniards, and to preserve for the island the extortionate ransom of a hundred thousand pieces of eight, remained yet to be probed.  That the Cinco Llagas was now in friendly hands could no longer be doubted after the proofs it had given.  But who, the people of Bridgetown asked one another, were the men in possession of her, and whence had they come?  The only possible assumption ran the truth very closely.  A resolute party of islanders must have got aboard during the night, and seized the ship.  It remained to ascertain the precise identity of these mysterious saviours, and do them fitting honour.

Upon this errand — Governor Steed’s condition not permitting him to go in person — went Colonel Bishop as the Governor’s deputy, attended by two officers.

As he stepped from the ladder into the vessel’s waist, the Colonel beheld there, beside the main hatch, the four treasure-chests, the contents of one of which had been contributed almost entirely by himself.  It was a gladsome spectacle, and his eyes sparkled in beholding it.