Ryder engaged the five oared boat, took her, took out her sails and oars, and bore down to Brewster's assistance who was about equally matched with Hoyt. They had boarded each other several times and been beaten off. Brewster was wounded and probably would not have taken Hoyt but for Ryder's help. They clenched each other and fought with the breach of their muskets, bayonets, swords, &c. Brewster and Hoyt were bitterly hostile. Ryder came down and fired his swivel at
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Hoyt's boat which killed two of his men and decided the engagement. Brewster had ordered the swivel to be fired when they came near, and called to the bowman to know why he didn't discharge. It [is no'--is in - isn't - my - my right,"] said the bowman and then fired the decisive shot. The bowman had an impediment in his speech and stuttered very much. The whaleboats carried three men besides the oarsmen - that is, a helmsman and a bowman. The crews were generally ten or twelve in number. We, with four whaleboats attacked three vessels, one large and two smaller. The large one had 25 marines concealed on board, and as we came up fired upon our leading boat and killed or wounded all on board but the helmsman and bowman. Six were killed and wound- -ed. (?) This didn't deter us, but we went on with the attack, &c. - ran the
<left margin> ? see pa. 87. original. <left margin>