We'll sink
together in our turn to-night if that be thy desire."
"May thou burn for evermore in hell, thou black-hearted traitor!" Asad
cursed him, his anger bursting all the bonds he had imposed upon it.
And then, of a sudden, upon that admission of defeat from their Basha,
there arose a great clamour from the crew. Sakr-el-Bahr's sea-hawks
called upon him, reminding him of their fidelity and love, and asking
could he repay it now by dooming them all thus to destruction.
"Have faith in me!" he answered them. "I have never led you into aught
but victory. Be sure that I shall not lead you now into defeat--on this
the last occasion that we stand together."
"But the galleon is upon us!" cried Vigitello. And so, indeed, it was,
creeping up slowly under that faint breeze, her tall bulk loomed now
above them, her prow ploughing slowly forward at an acute angle to the
prow of the galeasse. Another moment and she was alongside, and with a
swing and clank and a yell of victory from the English seamen lining her
bulwarks her grappling irons swung down to seize the corsair ship at prow
and stern and waist. Scarce had they fastened, than a torrent of men in
breast-plates and morions poured over her side, to alight upon the prow
of the galeasse, and not even the fear of the lantern held above the
powder barrel could now restrain the corsairs from giving these hardy
boarders the reception they reserved for all infidels.
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