It was none too soon for me to look to my own part ; for my head was scarce back at the window , before five men , carrying a spare yard for a battering-ram , ran past me and took post to drive the door in . I had never fired with a pistol in my life , and not often with a gun ; far less against a fellow-creature . But it was now or never ; and just as they swang the yard , I cried out : `` Take that ! '' and shot into their midst . I must have hit one of them , for he sang out and gave back a step , and the rest stopped as if a little disconcerted . Before they had time to recover , I sent another ball over their heads ; and at my third shot -LRB- which went as wide as the second -RRB- the whole party threw down the yard and ran for it . Then I looked round again into the deck-house . The whole place was full of the smoke of my own firing , just as my ears seemed to be burst with the noise of the shots . But there was Alan , standing as before ; only now his sword was running blood to the hilt , and himself so swelled with triumph and fallen into so fine an attitude , that he looked to be invincible . Right before him on the floor was Mr. Shuan , on his hands and knees ; the blood was pouring from his mouth , and he was sinking slowly lower , with a terrible , white face ; and just as I looked , some of those from behind caught hold of him by the heels and dragged him bodily out of the round-house . I believe he died as they were doing it . `` There 's one of your Whigs for ye ! '' cried Alan ; and then turning to me , he asked if I had done much execution . I told him I had winged one , and thought it was the captain . `` And I 've settled two , '' says he . `` No , there 's not enough blood let ; they 'll be back again . To your watch , David . This was but a dram before meat . '' I settled back to my place , re-charging the three pistols I had fired , and keeping watch with both eye and ear . Our enemies were disputing not far off upon the deck , and that so loudly that I could hear a word or two above the washing of the seas .
`` It was XXXXX bauchled * it , '' I heard one say .
Alan Right Shuan Whigs battering-ram deck-house execution round-house second third