The captain watched the pirate colors hoisted and shouted to the first mate, who was the acting gun captain.

“Prepare to fire, Mr. Finian.”

The gun ports were opened simultaneously, the cannon muzzles were extended, and the two port side cannons fired on command, all within seconds. With a thunderous roar and billowing smoke, the corsair’s deck was raked with grapeshot.

The results were gratifying. Half of the exposed bodies on the ship’s deck disappeared. The privateer was too close and unprepared to respond with its cannon, so it could do nothing but continue on course to crash into the port side of the Dunbrody.

Grappling hooks came flying through the air to hold the two ships together, and the privateers began to swing aboard. William realized immediately that the Dunbrody crew was well trained. Each man took his time and drew down on a specific individual before firing. Again, a large number of pirates fell. William’s musket aim also was true, but he then found himself with four corsairs bounding toward him. He grabbed his pistols. One stopped an enemy with a ball through the throat. The other misfired. He dropped the useless weapons, drew his sword, and was hard pressed to parry the blows raining down on him from all sides.

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