- end_line
- 2623
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:18.535Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 2571
- text
- perhaps thinking more of revenge for the past, than of security for the
future, Samoa, yielding the helm to Annatoo, rested his muskets on the
bulwarks, and taking long, sure aim, discharged them, one by one at the
advancing foe.
The three reports were answered by loud jeers from the savages, who
brandished their spears, and made gestures of derision; while with
might and main the Cholos tugged at their oars.
The boat still gaining on the brigantine, the muskets were again
reloaded. And as the next shot sped, there was a pause; when, like
lightning, the headmost Cholo bounded upwards from his seat, and oar in
hand, fell into the sea. A fierce yell; and one of the natives
springing into the water, caught the sinking body by its long hair; and
the dead and the living were dragged into the boat. Taking heart from
this fatal shot, Samoa fired yet again; but not with the like sure
result; merely grazing the remaining half-breed, who, crouching behind
his comrades, besought them to turn the boat round, and make for the
shore. Alarmed at the fate of his brother, and seemingly distrustful of
the impartiality of Samoa’s fire, the pusillanimous villain refused to
expose a limb above the gunwale.
Fain now would the pursuers have made good their escape; but an
accident forbade. In the careening of the boat, when the stricken Cholo
sprung overboard, two of their oars had slid into the water; and
together with that death-griped by the half-breed, were now floating
off; occasionally lost to view, as they sunk in the trough of the sea.
Two of the Islanders swam to recover them; but frightened by the
whirring of a shot over their heads, as they unavoidably struck out
towards the Parki, they turned quickly about; just in time to see one
of their comrades smite his body with his hand, as he received a bullet
from Samoa.
Enough: darting past the ill-fated boat, they swam rapidly for land,
followed by the rest; who plunged overboard, leaving in the boat the
surviving Cholo—who it seems could not swim—the wounded savage, and the
dead man.
“Load away now, and take thy revenge, my fine fellow,” said Samoa to
himself. But not yet. Seeing all at his mercy, and having none, he
quickly laid his fore-topsail to the mast; “hove to” the brigantine;
and opened fire anew upon the boat; every swell of the sea heaving it
nearer and nearer. Vain all efforts to escape. The wounded man paddled
wildly with his hands the dead one rolled from side to side; and the
Cholo, seizing the solitary oar, in his frenzied heedlessness, spun the
boat round and round; while all the while shot followed shot, Samoa
firing as fast as Annatoo could load. At length both Cholo and savage
fell dead upon their comrades, canting the boat over sideways, till
well nigh awash; in which manner she drifted off.
- title
- Chunk 4