commanded at all hazards to render unto God the things that were God's, and in all those things they were the Lord's freemen, and would be bound by none but him.

But Beelzebub still maintained that they were his servants from the outset, and had broken away from his allegiance without cause, and as miserable fugitives from justice, ought to be rendered up again. Besides, added he, you have got on board of your ship one of mine own subjects, impressed unwillingly and detained violently, and if you do not instantly release him, I will blow your ship into ten thousand pieces.

Now Peter and John trembled at this, for they did. not fully understand the accusation, and as they knew they had never themselves been kidnappers, and were not aware of any smuggled hands on board, they began to question about their own identity. Likewise the whole crew, all but that fellow, Pride, began to say within themselves, Is it I? Is it I?" And their sins rose up before them in such wise, at the great roaring voice of Beelzebub, that they were ready to question, each for himself, whether he was not really the man that ought to be given up to Satan. as his prey.

However, Peter managed to answer with apparent

7 Mark xiv. 19.

boldness, that the King's ship was the King's ship, and they would defend her for him to the last. And whether it were right to obey God or man, or to hearken to Beelzebub more than unto God, all on board might judge. Then Peter commanded to clear the ship for action.

8

But even while they were doing this, the Master of the Pirate ship, having brought her into a commanding position, poured a whole broadside upon the King's ship, intending, if possible, to sink her at one blow; and if the shot had taken effect as was intended, the consequences would have been terrible. But just as the order to fire was given, a wave providentially lifted the vessel up and suddenly keeled her over down to the sea, just so far as to send the whole discharge into the ocean. Not a shot told.

By this, Peter and John were greatly encouraged. Now that the conflict had really begun, they felt more boldness by far than while they were parleying. But the next broadside did more injury, for the enemy tacked about with incredible swiftness, and brought his guns to bear more truly, though even then most of them whistled across the decks, without striking either the men or the ship. It was a great relief, after these repeated attacks from so terrible an adversary, to find themselves still alive and floating.

8 Acts iv. 19.

And now they brought the King's own guns into action, and every shot told. The very first report of them was inspiring, while they struck terror, evidently, into the heart of the enemy. Out of the great Mortar, called Promise, they shot a bomb, that fell upon the leeward side of the Pirate Ship, and there exploding, tore out the bulwarks, carrying overboard several of his biggest guns and a number of the piratical crew with them. They also brought to bear with great power and effect the larger gun, WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST?? And also that other piece, which was put on board, IF GOD BE FOR US WHO SHALL BE AGAINST US? 10 These pieces, however, did as much, if not more in encouraging and confirming Peter and John and all the crew, than in injuring the enemy, though they were not without their effect upon him, as was proved afterwards.

While all this was going on, Contrition and Sincere, who had their eye upon that fellow Pride, observed him at work upon the fire-engine, and coming up to see what he was doing, found that he had cut the hose in three several places, and was trying also to choke the pump with grit, which he had carried for that purpose in his pockets. Then they seized him at once, and in the struggle his hat fell

off, which he had always worn over his eyes, and they saw his true name plainly in his forel ead, and knew him to be a villain and a spy. But they had a hard struggle to master him, for he was terribly strong, and caught at everything to prevent being thrown overboard, which nevertheless they did succeed in doing, for it was all over with them, if he stayed longer on board. But as to the fellow himself, he no sooner touched the water, than he swam like a fish to Beelzebub's vessel, and was there taken instantly in.

Meantime, some of the hands set themselves as quick as thought to repair as much as possible the mischief done to the hose, and well was it that they had discovered it in season, for no time was to be lost. Grace to help in time of need" must come if it came ever.

now,

For now the conflict raged terribly, because the enemy let fly a shower of darts, tipped with fire and brimstone, that came flaming and hissing through the air, and in spite of all that they could do to prevent it, would strike and stick, sometimes in the masts, sometimes in the sails, sometimes on the deck, and several times burst into a flame, so that the fire engine had to be handled with great swiftness and dexterity, and some of the crew had to be stationed

11 Heb. iv. 16.

in the shrouds, with buckets of water supplied continually.

While they were hard pressed in this manner, several of the fiends, with that fellow, Pride, at their head, having thrown themselves into the sea, swam unperceived under the stern, got hold of some ropes that had there been left hanging by the villain for that very purpose, and by that means hoisted themselves up to an open cabin window, and entered. Then with shouts of blasphemy, and a rush, with hellish darts, they broke forth suddenly on deck, supposing they should surprise the whole ship's company, and get entire possession. They struck John a terrible blow in the back, before he was aware, just as he was bending over in the act of aiming one of the great guns for another broadside, so that he fell flat beneath the force of the encounter, and would certainly have been murdered, had not one of the crew, named PRAY-WITHOUT-CEASING, 12 who saw when the attack was made, ran with Peter to the rescue.

Then commenced a violent struggle, hand to hand with the fiends, who raised their terrible flaming darts, and also breathed fire so furiously upon them, that they had hard work to draw their very breath in the conflict. Nor is there any telling what would

12 1 Thess. v. 17.