The poor wretch is ready to faint." "Yes, sir; he shall be fetched." Mr Reardon bent down to look at the prisoner more closely.
"Hold the lantern nearer," he said.
The corporal lowered the light, which shone on the pirate's glassy eyes, and there was a fixed look in his savage features which was very horrible.
"Get some water for him," said Mr Reardon.
But hardly had the words left his lips when I was conscious of a rushing sound behind me.

I was dashed sidewise, and one of the prisoners, who had made a tremendous spring, alighted on the lieutenant's back, driving him forward as I heard the sound of a blow; the corporal was driven sidewise too, and the lantern fell from his hand.

Then came a terrible shriek, and a scuffling, struggling sound, a part of which I helped to make, for I had been driven against one of the prisoners, who seized me, and as I wrestled with him I felt his hot breath upon my face, and his hands scuffling about to get a tight grip of my throat..