noon
The face withdrew , and Chris could imagine the dandy playing cards or reading as best he could in the din until the battle should be over . -LSB- Illustration -RSB- The pirates , many wounded and all taken aback at the unforeseen presence of guns on board the _ Mirabelle _ , were tough fighters notwithstanding , and moved the _ Vulture _ in ever nearer until the two ships , with fallen masts and entangled rigging , were locked on the brazen sea in deathly struggle . Brave as the seamen of the _ Mirabelle _ proved themselves to be , the pirates were seasoned in pitiless combat . The guns of both ships roared and coughed and the battle raged through the noon into the afternoon . Finally , Chris could bear no more . The crew of his ship were weakening , even as were those of the _ Vulture _ , and shuddering though he was at the thought of the sharks in the sea , Chris knew he had to use every method in his power if any on board were to survive . -LSB- Illustration -RSB- Keeping his own form he jumped into the blood-tinged water , his magic knife open and ready in his hand .