WHIRRR… BOOM!

"Damme, Mr. Decker, what's that?"

"We're being attacked, sir," a trembling wild-eyed midshipman answered the fourth lieutenant of HMS Diamond 64.

WHIRRR… BOOM!

CRASH!… "Watch out, zur, the foremast 'as been hit," a scrambling seaman shouted out as he ran by, looking back at the wild-eyed midshipman.

Brown, the fourth lieutenant snarled, "Aye, we're being attacked, Mr. Decker, but by whom and how in God's name did they get this close without being sighted?" BOOM!… BOOM!…

Dozen's of shadowy figures came up from below decks. Among the half-crazed men, Mr. Knight, the ship's first lieutenant, was still dressing as he made his way on deck.

BOOM!… KABOOM!…

Flames came spurting up like a bonfire from a nearby vessel.

"That's the mail packet, sir, the HMS Mosquito."

"Well, I hope to hell all the mails off," Knight answered sarcastically, then stared at Brown. "Beat to quarters, Mr. Brown."

"Aye, sir. Bosun!"

"Aye, Mr. Brown."

"Beat to quarters."

"Aye, aye, sir."

BOOM!… BOOM!…

The assault continued… then another explosion.

"Damned if we aren't being attacked by a fleet, Mr. Brown. I believe a cannon fires about every time I take a breath," Lieutenant Knight exclaimed.

Then as if to emphasize his remarks the whole ship seem to shudder as another ball had found its target.

"Where's Captain Stafford?" Knight asked.

"He… ah… sent a note aboard with his cox'n, sir, and said he'd be ashore tonight, but I'm sure he's heard the cannons so he's bound to be on his way back," the frightened Decker stammered.

"No doubt our captain is awake," Knight responded, "But what about those fools in the fort? They've not fired a shot."

"Mr. Knight!" It was Williams, the carpenter, "We're sinking sir. We've got over three feet in the well and it's gaining." Then as an after thought he continued, "The pumps have either been destroyed or what's left can't keep up."