"The affair begins to look serious, Pringle," I said, as I directed my telescope at the boats.  "There must be close upon forty men in that attacking-party, and we do not mount so much as a single gun.  Now, I wonder what their plan of attack will be?  Will they dash alongside and attempt to carry us by boarding, think you; or will they lie off and pound us with their gun until we haul down our colours, or sink?"