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Updated: June 16, 2025
In each vessel there were at least forty or fifty rowers. Pungarin walked up and down his poop-deck as if in meditation, paying no regard to what was going on around him until a feeble cry was heard from one of the rowers, a middle-aged and sickly man.
Pungarin, my excellent friend," exclaimed the Jew, extending his hand, which the skipper merely condescended to touch, "how do you do? I am so overjoyed to see you; you have business to transact eh?" "You may be quite sure, Moses, that I did not come to this nest of sharpers merely for pleasure," replied Pungarin, brusquely. "Ah, my friend, you are really too severe.
This vessel would have been much sooner silenced, no doubt, but for the ferocity of Pungarin. When his men, driven at last by the deadly fire of the assailants, forsook a gun and sought refuge behind the matting, the pirate-chief would promptly step forward and serve the gun himself, until very shame sometimes forced his men to return.
We have already said that some of the prisoners had been bound with ropes for want of irons. Pungarin was among the number, and his almost superhuman efforts were directed to freeing himself from his rope, either by tearing his limbs out of it, or by snapping it asunder. In both attempts he failed.
If Pungarin had adopted this plan while the boats were busy capturing his comrades, it is possible that he might have escaped, for his swimming powers and endurance were very great; but it was now too late. When he rose the second time to the surface, the affair was over, and men's minds were free to fix entirely on himself.
At the same moment Pungarin was heard to give an order to his men, which resulted in the oars being got out and manned by the surviving pirates and slaves, who rowed for the land as fast as possible. Their escape in this way, however, the captain knew to be impossible, for they were now fully twenty-five miles from shore. He therefore went about his work leisurely.
We cannot state with certainty what were the motives which induced Pungarin to spare the lives of Mr Hazlit and his family; all we know is, that he transferred them to his junk. After taking everything of value out of the schooner, he scuttled her.
Pungarin hastily removed the rope, sank down and lay quite still as if in slumber. Night passed slowly on. The morning-star arose. The sun soon chased away the shadows, and brought joy to the awaking world. It even brought some degree of comfort to the comfortless on board the gun-boat.
Well go on." "Well," said Pungarin, abruptly, "I have nothing more to say, except, what will you give for these things?" "One thousand pounds would be a large sum to offer," said the Jew, slowly. "And a very small one to accept," returned Pungarin, as he slowly gathered the gems together and put them back into the casket. "Nay, my friend, be not so hasty," said Moses; "what do you ask for them?"
As they overtook the prow, Pungarin ordered the starboard rowers to cease. Those on the port side continued to pull, and in a few seconds the prow's broadside was brought to bear on the approaching enemy. Not till they were within a hundred yards did the pirate leader again speak. Then his powerful voice resounded through his vessel: "Fire!"
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