DICK NEEDHAM'S EXPEDITION--DICK AND ARCHIE CAPTURED--ATTACK ON THE
CARAVAN--UNEXPECTED MEETING WITH HIGSON AND MIDSHIPMEN--HIGSON'S
UNWILLINGNESS TO RETURN--JACK'S SOLUTION OF THE DIFFICULTY--THE YOUNG
LADIES' GRIEF--TOM, AGAINST HIS WILL, JOINS THE FLASH--CAPTURES A FORT
AND GUNS--THE SLEEPING BEAUTIES--THE FLASH AGROUND--ATTACKED BY
RUSSIANS--FATE OF FLASH--DESMOND THINKS OF EMIGRATING--TOM'S "PRIOR
ENGAGEMENT"--CAPTURE OF KINBURN.
The Mosquito fleet had been employed for many weeks in destroying almost
immeasurable quantities of provisions and stores, effectually crippling
the resources of the Czar's armies. Private property had invariably
been spared, so that the inhabitants of the country did not exhibit any
ill-feeling towards the English. The few men who by chance fell into
their hands were treated with considerable kindness.
Jack's usual plan was, after having ascertained the whereabouts of the
magazines or stacks, which were nearly always placed on the seashore, to
steam up to the spot just before daybreak, and immediately to send in
one or two boats, the officers of which, landing with torches, quickly
set the stores on fire, and scampered back before they could be pursued.
Night after night, now in one place, now in another, stores and
magazines were destroyed; and as there were upwards of a dozen vessels
thus engaged, it may be conceived what mischief was committed.
There is an old saying, however, that the pitcher which goes often to
the well gets broken at last. Jack had heard from his faithful spy,
Niuski, that some large stores existed on the shores of a lake about a
mile from the coast, the river communicating with which was too shallow
to allow of the boats proceeding up it. He had intended going himself,
but an attack of illness made him feel that it would be imprudent to
venture, as he might break down on the way. Dick Needham, hearing of
what was required to be done, at once volunteered to lead an expedition,
and Jack gladly accepted his offer. Tom and Archie, who had been
burning to distinguish themselves in some exploit of the sort, begged
that they might be allowed to go.
"There are no fellows on board who have better wind or can run faster
than we can," observed Tom; "Archie, with his long legs, gets over the
ground at a great rate, and I can keep up with him by making my short
ones move so much the faster."
Jack, believing that there was no greater risk than usual, consented,
greatly to the midshipmen's delight. Billy Blueblazes was ordered to go
in the boat, to remain in charge of her while the rest of the party were
on shore. The spy had informed Jack that there were no enemies in the
neighbourhood. Tom and Archie were in high glee. Dick Needham had
settled to take only one man with him, besides the midshipmen, leaving
the rest under the command of Billy Blueblazes to cover their retreat.
The boat, with muffled oars, pulled in for the shore, when, no one being
seen, Dick and his companions landed.
"Remember, Billy, the commander's orders are that you are on no account
to leave the boat; and should by chance the enemy come down upon you,
you are to pull off to the ship, and obtain further orders," said Tom;
"not that there's much chance of that."
"Good-bye, my laddie," said Archie, as he and Tom leaped on shore;
"we'll be back in little more than half an hour, and you will know when
to look out for us by seeing the jolly bonfire we are going to light."
There was no moon, but the stars shone brightly forth, enabling them to
steer their way by them. The country being pretty level, they hoped,
should they have to run for it, to make rapid way; it was also tolerably
open, with here and there copses composed of trees of moderate height,
by advancing along the side of which Dick expected to be able to keep
concealed till they had gained their destination.
"We may reserve our strength for the run back after we have set the
stores on fire," he whispered to the two midshipmen; "we learned a
lesson about that in our other expedition."
Whenever they had to cross an open space, they bent down like North
American Indians on a war-trail, keeping perfect silence, so that they
might have passed close to an enemy without being discovered. Thus on
they went, Dick calculating that it would take them about half an hour
to reach the magazines, and they expected to return in half that time.
Dick led, Tom and Archie followed, and Tim Nolan brought up the rear.
Each one of them knew beforehand what they were to do, and there seemed
no risk of failure.
The magazines and stores were at length reached, presenting much the
same appearance as those which had before been destroyed. Not a sound
which could indicate that any human beings were in the neighbourhood was
heard; not a dog barked. In less than a minute they all had their
torches lighted, and effectually set fire to the buildings and stores,
which blazed up so rapidly that had any people been out of doors at the
time the flames would have quickly betrayed them. Their task being
accomplished, they set off at a rapid speed towards the boat, Dick as
before leading. The midshipmen enjoyed the scamper, and they had every
reason to believe that they should get back in safety. They had not got
far, however, when they heard the voices of people from the neighbouring
cottages, who had been, it was evident, aroused by the glare, and who
would soon, from the nature of the conflagration, suspect that it had
been the work of incendiaries. Unless, however, they could throw
themselves on horseback, there was no risk of their overtaking the
nimble seamen; still concealment was difficult, for as the fire
increased its glare fell upon them and betrayed their whereabouts.
They had passed over the widest extent of open ground, and had made
their way along under the shelter of a copse, when they were again
exposed to view. As they were passing another copse a short distance on
their right, several shots whistled by them.
"Push on, Needham!" cried Tom; "they're not very good marksmen."
A cry from Tim Nolan made Tom turn his head, when he saw a party of the
enemy, who had rushed out from the copse, close upon him, while Tim, by
actively dodging, tried to escape. "Arrah, never mind me!" he shouted;
"though I'm after being made a prisoner, you'll get off if you keep
going."
Archie, who was some little way behind him, endeavoured to escape, when
his foot struck against a stone, and the cry he uttered made Tom again
look round and spring back to help him get on his feet. In his hurry he
also fell; the cry he had uttered made Dick also look round, when,
believing that one or both of the midshipmen were wounded, though he was
so far ahead as to have been able to reach the boat without difficulty,
he immediately turned back to assist them. As he did so, he saw the
Russians hurrying up. Drawing his cutlass, he threw himself between
them and the midshipmen, hoping to drive back their foes, and allow them
to make their escape. Tom and Archie were quickly on their legs, but
before they could do as Dick told them and run for their lives, they
were surrounded by a party of helmeted Russians.
Dick, however, laid about him so lustily with his cutlass, that had the
midshipmen been willing to leave him, they, at all events, might have
made their escape. They were endeavouring to draw their swords, when
the Russians, throwing themselves on them from behind, seized their
arms; and Dick received a wound from a bayonet in his sword-arm which
made him, very much against his will, drop his weapon. In an instant,
more Russians coming on, they were completely overpowered and dragged
away; not, however, till Dick, in a stentorian voice, had let Billy
Blueblazes know what had happened, and directed him to pull back to the
ship with the news.
Billy had caught sight of the party in the distance just as the enemy
rushed out on them, and had seen Dick turn back to help Tom and Archie.
Had he not been ordered to remain in the boat, he would have landed, and
tried to assist them. Fortunately, perhaps, he did not make the
attempt, as his men could not have fired at the Russians for fear of
hitting their friends, and he and his party would, in all probability,
have been captured, with the loss of their boat. As soon as he heard
Dick's voice, he shoved off and pulled away for the ship, in the hopes
of getting assistance.
Jack, however, saw that it would be useless to send a party on shore, as
the Russians would to a certainty carry off their prisoners to a
distance. As Billy stated that he saw a large number of men, the fresh
party might very likely be overwhelmed. Jack naturally felt very much
grieved at the loss of the midshipmen and gunner, although they were not
likely to be otherwise than kindly treated; still the war might last for
some time, and they would lose the advantage of the experience they were
gaining--while he could ill afford to dispense with Needham's services,
or lose Tim Nolan, a good seaman on whom he could always depend.
"The midshipmen are pretty sure to fall on their feet wherever they are
carried," observed Mr Mildmay, "so we need not, I hope, be over-anxious
about them."
Next morning, Jack sent a flag of truce on shore to inquire what had
become of his captured officers and man, and to offer to send them any
necessaries they might require. Before the boat returned, another
steamer hove in sight, which proved to be the _Giaour_. Murray had
orders to summon the _Tornado_, with any other vessels he might fall in
with, in order that their boats might form an expedition up the river--
across which ran the great highroad leading to the Crimea. Information
had been received that a large amount of stores and provisions were on
their way to the garrison of Sebastopol.
"If we can cut them off, we shall commit incalculable damage--perhaps
starve the garrison into surrender," Murray observed. He was, of
course, sorry to hear of Archie's capture, but the two commanders agreed
that they need not make themselves very unhappy about the matter.
Green, who had gone on shore with the flag of truce, returned, saying
that he had been unable to fall in with anyone who could communicate
information about the prisoners; and they had therefore to be left for
the present to their fate.
A few hours afterwards the _Flash_ appeared, and the three commanders
proceeded to the rendezvous, a short distance out of sight of land. It
had been arranged that they were to stand in at nightfall, and
immediately to send their boats up the river, so as if possible to take
the enemy by surprise. In the meantime several of the fleet were sent
to different parts of the coast, to burn all the Government stores they
could discover, and thus to assist in misleading the enemy. The
squadron was delayed longer than had been expected, but at length
information was received that a caravan was on its way, and might be
expected near the mouth of the river the next night. Jack settled to
take command of one of his boats, while Green took command of the other.
Adair went in one of his, and Desmond, greatly to his delight, had
charge of the second. Murray also despatched two of his, and the other
ships sent the same number.
The squadron came off the mouth of the river about an hour and a half
after dark, when the flotilla of boats, without a moment's delay,
proceeded up the stream, with muffled oars. A mist lay on the water,
though the stars could be distinguished overhead, which, as they kept
directly in the centre, would, they hoped, conceal them from any persons
on the banks. The crews were ordered to keep perfect silence; the
larger boats were armed with guns in their bows, capable of throwing
shot and shell, so that they were well able to compete with any force
which might appear, even though accompanied by field--pieces. It was
known, however, that the enemy possessed but few in that part of the
country.
The boats at length got up within about a quarter of a mile of the ferry
at which the caravan was expected to pass. Either bank of the river was
lined with a broad belt of tall rushes, in which they were directed to
conceal themselves, while Adair in his gig pulled up to try and
ascertain whether the waggons had reached the bank. The commodore had
settled to wait till some had crossed, so as to attack as many as
possible close to the edge of the water, making sure of destroying them
as well as those actually crossing.
The crews of the boats were waiting in anxious expectation for the order
to dash out of their places of concealment. Day at last dawned; the
startled wildfowl flew up from among the rushes, screaming loudly at the
intruders; while, as the light increased, the dark water assumed a
brighter hue, though a mist still lay on the surface, which greatly
assisted in the concealment of the boats. At length Adair's gig was
seen dimly through the mist, pulling at a rapid rate down the stream.
In an instant the crews of the boats, jumping into their seats, got out
their oars ready to give way as soon as the order should be received.
Adair soon reached the commodore's boat; he said that the
provision-waggons had begun to cross, and that several were already on
the opposite or western bank. The boats had been ordered to pull up in
two divisions, the larger to attack the east bank, the other the west;
Jack's and Adair's boats belonged to the latter.
The welcome order to advance was heard, and the boats, emerging from
their cover, pulled away in two lines, as fast as the men could bend to
their oars, moving along like two huge serpents darting on their prey.
Not a word was uttered; so that the boats, still shrouded by the mist,
were close up to the ferry before they were discovered. The Russians
were taken completely by surprise; the waggons on board the ferry-boat
were at once captured. The small body of troops sent to convoy them
fired a volley from the east bank, on which side the greater number of
waggons were still advancing to cross, and then, seeing the strong
forces approaching to the attack, retreated; while shouts and shrieks
and cries resounded on all sides, the drivers endeavouring to turn round
their animals and escape--while the seamen, who sprang on shore, set to
work to cut the traces, to prevent them from so doing.
Jack and Adair, with their men, had landed on the west bank, where the
drivers of the waggons were doing their utmost to urge on their beasts.
The sailors were getting quickly up to the nearest of them to put a stop
to their progress, while the others ahead still endeavoured to escape;
some in their hurry getting off the road upset. The wildest uproar and
confusion ensued, the drivers shrieking to their beasts, the seamen
shouting as they rushed forward.
One of the leading waggons, as it dashed forward, overtook a carriage
which had apparently been on its way down to the ferry, when the
postillions, alarmed by the sounds which reached their ears, turned it
round to escape in the opposite direction. A waggon coming against its
hinder wheel, had upset it on one side of the road. Just at that
juncture, Adair and Desmond, who with their men had gone ahead, arriving
at the spot, heard cries for help from female voices proceeding from the
carriage. At the same moment they saw a gentlemanly-looking personage
in a travelling-dress emerging from one of the windows, and several
others, who had evidently been on the outside, endeavouring to pick
themselves up in a field into which they had been thrown.
"If that isn't Tom Rogers, I'm not an Irishman!" exclaimed Desmond; "and
there's Archie Gordon, too--hurrah! provided they haven't broken their
legs or arms, they'll be all to rights after all;--and that's no other
than our friend Colonel Paskiewich."
Hurrying forward to assist Colonel Paskiewich in extricating himself
from the overturned carriage, they perceived that there were several
ladies in the inside, who, although they every now and then uttered
screams, were wisely remaining quiet, holding each other in their arms.
"Thank you, gentlemen," said the colonel; "I must now ask you to help
out my wife and daughters, who are naturally fearfully alarmed at what
has occurred."
"We regret to have been the unintentional cause of their disaster," said
Adair politely; while he and Gerald, climbing up on the side of the
carriage, caught hold of one of the young ladies, who proved to be
Mademoiselle Feodorowna. They were quickly joined by Tom and Archie,
the former of whom took the fair Feodorowna in charge. Another person
now made his way up from the field into which he had been thrown.
"Why, Higson, my fine fellow, I am very glad to see you!" exclaimed
Adair; "where do you come from?"
"I'll tell you all about it by and by," answered Higson, "when we have
got out the ladies;" and he lending a hand, Mademoiselle Ivanowna was
next hauled up, Higson taking her in his arms with the most affectionate
solicitude and carrying her to a place of safety by the side of the
road; while the rest dragged out her mamma, who, if not much hurt, was
greatly alarmed. The coachman, who had also been thrown off his box,
had in the meantime been assisting the postillions in cutting the
traces; which, having been done, the latter galloped off, under the
impression, probably, that should they remain they would be made
prisoners with their master.
While this scene was taking place, Jack, with Jos Green, and their men,
had advanced towards the post-house, in front of which a small body of
troops were drawn up, waiting an opportunity, apparently, to attack the
English as soon as they were still more scattered in their pursuit of
the waggons, as it was evident they would quickly be. No sooner,
however, did they perceive Jack's compact party of seamen in
well-ordered array advancing towards them, than, without even firing
their muskets, they went to the right-about, and scampered off as fast
as their legs could carry them.
Just as they disappeared, a window in the post-house was thrown open,
and out of it jumped Dick Needham, followed by Tim Nolan.
"Erin-go-bragh!" shouted the latter; "it's ourselves have gained our
liberty."
"There's no time to tell you how it all happened, sir," said Dick, as
Jack welcomed him; "we were not badly treated by the Russians, but I am
main glad to get out of their hands--I only wish there was as good a
chance of your brother and Mr Gordon getting set at liberty; but I am
sorry to say they gave their parole, as they called it, to the colonel;
and when I told them that Tim and I had got a plan for getting off from
the Russians and making our way to the coast, they told me that they
could not join in it, as they were bound to stay till the war was over."
Commander Rogers, however, had no time to listen further to what his
gunner had to say, as he had to set to work at once to destroy the
captured waggons. Having examined the post-house to ascertain that no
enemies lurked within, he set fire to the leading waggons; and, upon his
way to the river to destroy the remainder, he came upon the overturned
carriage, near which he found the colonel's family, with Higson and the
midshipmen. The colonel expressed his pleasure at seeing him, and
informed him that he was on his way to visit an estate, remote from the
seat of war, in the eastern parts of the country, when he heard that
some English officers and seamen who had been made prisoners were in the
neighbourhood, and that on visiting them he discovered that they
belonged to the _Tornado_. Upon making application to the governor of
the district, he had succeeded in obtaining the release of the officers
on their parole, though the men had to continue in charge of their
guard. "I am afraid, therefore," he added, "that I cannot restore the
former to you, unless you choose to consider me your prisoner."
"As you are a non-combatant at present, we certainly cannot capture you
or your family," answered Jack; "but with regard to my lieutenant and
the two midshipmen, I am somewhat in doubt whether or not to do so."
Greatly to Jack's surprise, Higson and Tom both expressed their decided
opinion that as men of honour they ought to remain; though Archie seemed
much less confident on the subject.
"We'll get your carriage on its wheels and then think about this matter,
colonel," said Jack; "and if you will send your coachman to bring back
the runaway postillions and their steeds, we will escort you across the
river, and see you on your journey to the eastward."
As there were no enemies to contend with, the plan proposed by Jack was
quickly carried into execution; the horses were brought back; the
carriage, which was an old-fashioned family coach, had not received much
damage. Jack consulted Adair as to how he should act towards the
lieutenant and midshipmen.
"As they are in our power, we are bound to lay hands on them whether
they like it or not," answered Adair; "if they go unwillingly, their
parole is not broken;" whereupon Jack told Higson and the midshipmen
that they must consider themselves under arrest, and prepare to return
in the boats to their ship.
On hearing this, both the young ladies began to evince signs of
agitation.
"Surely you are not going to take away Lieutenant Higson!" exclaimed
Ivanowna.
"You cannot be so cruel as to carry off our dear Tom!" cried Feodorowna.
"We had all sorts of pleasant schemes to make them contented during
their exile," added Ivanowna.
"I must be very hard-hearted, and perform my duty," answered Jack.
It was pretty clear that both Higson and Tom had no objection to
remaining, but he was firm; though Archie seemed happy enough to get
back.
"I'll tell you how it is," he whispered to Desmond; "the first
lieutenant and Tom are spooney on the young ladies; it is my belief that
they expect to marry them some day. The colonel and his wife seem to
have taken a great fancy to Higson."
"Oh, oh!" said Jack; "that makes it doubly important to keep them out of
harm's way."
In vain the young ladies again and again pleaded, supported by their
mamma and the colonel; Jack was inexorable. The remains of the waggons
burnt on the banks of the river having been cleared away, the colonel's
carriage was escorted to the ferry-boat, which conveyed it across to the
opposite bank. Here, however, so many more waggons had been destroyed
that some time was spent before it could proceed. Higson and the
midshipmen now got leave to pay their farewells to the ladies. Ivanowna
could with difficulty restrain her feelings, as the gallant lieutenant
approached to shake hands; and Archie declared to Desmond that he heard
him vowing unalterable affection, and making a promise that as soon as
the war was over he would come back and marry her, with her parents'
permission.
The more impulsive Feodorowna threw her arms round Tom's neck and kissed
him on both cheeks. He, in return, made the same promise as his
lieutenant, with a proviso that he should obtain his papa's permission.
"All right," said Jack, when he heard of it; "he's very safe."
A considerable amount of damage had been inflicted, but the waggons
proved only to be a leading detachment, a second and larger portion
being some miles in the rear, and they, getting timely notice of the
raid of the English, retreated to a safe distance. The commodore,
receiving information that troops with some field-pieces were advancing,
prudently conducted his boats down the river, to avoid an engagement
which could have produced no satisfactory results.
Tom Rogers was at first very much downcast, but in the company of his
old friends quickly regained his spirits; and he and Archie were loud in
their praises of the hospitality with which they had been treated.
Higson did not say much, but Jack could not help suspecting that he no
longer relished being engaged in hostile operations against the
countrymen of his charmer. He confessed as much: "Still, you've known
me long enough to be sure that though it may be against the grain, I'll
do my duty whatever happens."
Higson kept to his word, and no man was more active in the operations
which soon afterwards took place off Gheisk, Vodnia, and Glofira.
Strange as it may seem, considering that the places had before been
attacked, the Russians had accumulated along the shore in their
neighbourhood enormous rows of stacks, several miles in extent. They
had, however, four thousand troops to protect their property, while they
were aware of the small force possessed by the English, who could not
muster more than two hundred men for boat service. The larger vessels,
from want of water, had to remain in the offing, while the gunboats
towed the other boats as near as possible to the shore, and then covered
them by their heavy fire. They pulled in, when their crews, springing
to land, drove back the enemy, and set fire to the stacks in succession;
proving that it is much easier to commit harm than to prevent it.
These attacks being made simultaneously at different points, so
distracted the enemy, that they knew not in which direction to proceed;
scarcely had the flames burst out at one point than they saw fires
blazing up at several others. The stores at Vodnia and Glofira having
been destroyed, the squadron proceeded off Gheisk. Here, for full four
miles, stacks of corn and hay were arranged close to the water's edge;
while under the protection of the forts around the town were vast piles
of timber, cured fish, naval stores, and a number of boats. Here again
the shallowness of the water prevented the larger vessels from
approaching; even the gunboats could not get in nearer than long range;
such boats as could carry heavy guns, being distributed in four
divisions, were sent in to cover the landing-parties in the smaller
boats, about a mile from each other. As they approached, they saw that
the Russians had thrown up light breastworks along their front, from
which they kept up an unremitting fire on their invaders. Fortunately
the wind blew on shore, and carried the smoke from their own and the
British guns in their faces; the landing-parties, rapidly advancing,
sprang on shore, and, dashing with bayonet and cutlass over the Russian
breastworks, speedily put the enemy to flight.
The stacks along the whole of the line, being simultaneously lighted,
blew so dense a cloud of smoke into the eyes of the Russians, that,
though they rallied and opened a hot fire, they were unable to take aim
or ascertain what their persevering foes were about. In six hours every
stack, as well as the timber and naval stores and boats, were destroyed,
with no other loss to the British than five men wounded.
These proceedings, unheroic as they might appear, tended greatly to
bring the war to a conclusion. The _Flash_, with several other vessels,
had in the meantime been despatched to different parts of the coast to
carry on a similar work. Tom had a short time before been sent to serve
on board her. After he had been brought back to the _Tornado_, he
appeared a changed being; unless when compelled, he spoke to no one
except Higson, and they two seemed to have much interesting conversation
together. Jack observed it, and came to the very natural conclusion
that Tom was over head and ears in love with the Russian colonel's
daughter; he consulted Murray on the subject.
"Send him on board the _Flash_," was Murray's answer; "Adair and young
Desmond will soon knock all that sort of nonsense out of him. It never
does for midshipmen to be falling in love; it is bad enough for a
lieutenant--except under some circumstances," added Murray, recollecting
how both he and Jack had acted.
"At all events my father would not approve of his marrying a Russian,
even putting her religion out of the question," said Jack.
The _Flash_ being in company at the time, Jack pulled on board her and
soon arranged the matter with Adair, who very readily consented to take
charge of Tom. That young gentleman was somewhat astonished at finding
that he was thus to be disposed of, but he could not venture to
expostulate with his commander, even though that commander was his
brother. With a deep sigh he wished Higson good-bye.
"Perhaps if you are sending a letter on shore you will put in a word
from me to Feodorowna, and assure her that I shall ever be faithful,"
said Tom.
"As to that, Tom, I don't think there is much chance that I shall have
an opportunity of writing to anyone living in the enemy's country,"
answered Higson, who could not help perceiving the absurdity of the
thing. "You, with the interest you possess, have certain prospects of
promotion, and you will be giving them all up, and be separated from
your family, if you were to marry a Russian and settle down in this part
of the world. My case is very different; I have no interest--am getting
on in life, and shall probably not get my next step till I am old enough
to retire from the service. The young lady has, I'll allow, a fancy for
you, but she'll soon get over it; and if I ever come out and marry her
sister, I'll persuade her that it is the best thing she can do."
Tom did not quite fancy this advice, but, like many another midshipman,
he had to grin and bear it; and was two minutes afterwards proceeding
with his chest on board the _Flash_. Gerald welcomed him warmly, and,
having received the cue from Adair, said not a word for some time about
the fair Feodorowna. The _Flash_ being actively engaged, Tom had plenty
of work, and very little time to think about his lady-love. His
conscience was not at all troubled when he was sent in to burn stacks of
corn and hay, and other Government property; indeed, had he been so, as
he had heard Jack observe that by doing so the war would be the sooner
brought to a conclusion, he would have considered that he was doing what
would be well pleasing to the colonel and his family.
Although Adair thought Tom a goose for falling in love, he yet placed
great confidence in his gallantry and discretion. The _Flash_ had been
sent to the eastern end of the Sea of Azov. She was cruising one day
close inshore, when her commander observed a fort which mounted six
guns, but could see no gunners to fight them. He accordingly came to
the conclusion that they had been withdrawn to garrison Taganrog, or
some other important fortress.
"We must have those guns," observed Adair. "I intend sending you,
Rogers, and Desmond, in to-night to bring them off, should I find, as I
suspect, that they are undefended," he said to Tom. "You will be
supplied with a scaling-ladder, with which you can take a peep in and
ascertain the state of affairs. If there are only three or four
soldiers, you must secure them; then shut the gates of the fort, to
prevent anyone getting in, while you hoist the guns into the boat."
Tom and Gerald were delighted with the thoughts of the proposed
expedition, and undertook faithfully to carry out their commander's
orders. The _Flash_ continued steaming on till she was out of sight of
the fort, when, as soon as it was dark, her head was put inshore, and
she ran back to within a short distance of the fort Tom and Gerald were
ordered to burn a blue light should they require assistance, but if not,
to carry out the work as quietly as possible.
"You may trust us, sir," they said, as they stepped into the gig, which
had a crew of six hands, and a supply of tackles for lowering the guns.
"This is just the sort of fun I like," observed Tom, as they were
pulling for the shore.
"Much better than sighing your breath out for the Russian damsel,"
answered Desmond; "I am sure of that." It was the first time he had
ventured to touch on the delicate subject.
"What, have you heard about my little affair?" asked Tom; "I suppose,
then, the whole fleet have been talking about it?"
"Don't trouble yourself as to that," whispered Desmond; they were both
speaking in a low voice, so that neither their own men nor the enemy
could hear them; "however, it is time, unless we want to be discovered,
to clap a stopper on our jaw-tackles."
"You are right," said Tom; "we shall soon be up to the fort." They
pulled on till they came under the walls, which rose sheer out of the
water. Landing on one side, and leaving a couple of hands in the boat,
they carried the scaling-ladder to a wall which offered a fair prospect
of their being able to mount to the top. Tom claimed the post of honour
for himself, the rest of the party being prepared to mount as soon as he
should summon them. The instant after the ladder was placed he was on
the top of it. On looking down, not a human being could he see, either
awake or asleep. Making the signal to his companions, they speedily
followed him, and dropped down noiselessly into the fort.
Their first care, as ordered, was to secure the gate; and then, lighting
their lanterns, they began to search the various chambers in the fort.
They had not gone far when they heard voices from what appeared to be a
guard-house. "At all events, we shall have no great difficulty in
securing them," said Tom. As they opened the door, they found four
soldiers, a flagon of vodka before them, and their heads resting on the
table.
They were excessively astonished to find their arms seized by a party of
Englishmen, who signified by their gestures that the less noise they
made the better. They were then lashed to their seats, and almost
immediately afterwards dropped off to sleep again.
"At all events, we are not likely to meet with much opposition," said
Tom; "though, if we had had some fighting, we might have gained more
credit."
No other persons being found in the fort, they immediately set to work
to unship the guns and to lower them down into the boat, which was
brought under the wall for the purpose. They were of brass, and not
very heavy considering their size, but it was soon found that three were
as many as the gig could carry. Having secured these, they pulled back
to the _Flash_, which now stood in as close as she could venture, when
they returned for the other three. They looked in as they arrived at
the drunken garrison, who were still fast asleep and unconscious of what
was taking place. The remaining guns were then removed as the first had
been.
"Faith, those Russian fellows will be astonished when they wake
to-morrow morning and find themselves minus their guns," exclaimed
Gerald, laughing.
"I only hope that they won't be shot in consequence," said Tom. "I
think we ought to have left a notice of the way we surprised the fort,
with a request that the brave garrison may not be punished."
On returning to the ship, they received due commendation from their
commander for the way in which their exploit had been performed. The
next day Adair himself determined to undertake a still more hazardous
expedition, very similar to that in which Tom and Desmond had been
captured. He had to proceed north, two miles from the coast, to the
banks of a river, where he burned a large number of stacks. On his
return he was chased by a body of Cossacks; he fortunately got within
fire of his men in the boats just as the Cossacks were up to him. He
acknowledged on getting on board that he had never had a harder run in
his life.
Thoroughly knocked up, he turned in, leaving orders that the ship should
be kept along the coast, so as to draw off their attention from other
places which were to be attacked. Adair was in a deeper sleep than a
commander under such circumstances generally ventures to enjoy, when
suddenly he was startled by a shock, accompanied by an ominous grating
sound, the meaning of which he too painfully knew.
"The ship's on shore!" he exclaimed to himself, starting up and with the
practised rapidity of a seaman putting on his clothes. An officer
entering his cabin, he found his worst apprehensions realised. The
_Flash_ had struck on a reef, not a quarter of a mile from the beach.
He was on deck in a moment; the hands were turned up, and the boats
immediately lowered to lay out an anchor astern to haul her off. The
day was just breaking, and as the light increased rocks were seen inside
of the ship, with a sandy beach and a wide extent of level country.
In vain the officers and crew exerted themselves; the tide had been
falling, and every instant made the task of getting the ship off more
difficult. Adair had once before lost his ship under circumstances when
the best of seamanship could not have saved her; but he now felt that
she had been got on shore by inexcusable carelessness, and this thought
made him inclined to become almost frantic. He restrained his temper
and feelings, however, in a wonderful way for an Irishman, and with
perfect coolness bent all his energies to the task of getting her off.
His first lieutenant was on the sick list; the second had a short time
before been relieved by a mate who somewhat resembled Mr Mildmay,
without the sterling qualities of that officer, and for the sake of
being better able, as he thought, to examine the coast, had kept the
ship just a point or two, as he said, to the northward of the course
given to him. However, had he even steered directly for the shore the
commander was answerable, Terence knew too well.
In vain the crew laboured away at the capstan till the hawser was taut
as a fiddle-string; not an inch would the ship budge. The master
suggested that by heaving the guns and stores overboard she might be got
off.
"And perhaps even then we might stick fast, or before she is afloat the
enemy might make his appearance and find us at his mercy," answered the
commander; "no, no--we'll keep our teeth, and show them too, to some
effect, as long as the ship holds together."
Tom and Desmond were not very complimentary to the stupid old mate who
had been the cause of the disaster. Tom, who was acting as
signal-midshipman, had been for some time examining the shore, when he
caught sight of some figures moving along in the distance. Presently,
as they approached, he could see that they formed a small body of
Cossack cavalry; two of them galloped on ahead, till they got near
enough to ascertain the condition of the ship. A shot from one of her
long guns, though it missed them, sent them to the right-about, and the
whole body soon afterwards disappeared. No long time, however, had
elapsed when they were again discerned coming in the direction of the
ship, accompanied by a body of infantry and several field-pieces.
"We must be ready for those fellows," observed Terence, "and do our best
to dismount their guns."
While one portion of the crew were sent to their quarters, the others
were kept employed in endeavouring to haul off the ship. On came the
infantry, looking out for such imperfect shelter as could be found on
the coast; and the guns, which had remained some way behind them, opened
their fire on the ship. They were not ill served, and their shot fell
pretty thickly about her. Terence immediately ordered his guns to be
fired in return, when the Cossacks, wheeling about, retired to a safe
distance.
"I can't say much for the gunnery of those fellows," said Tom; "not a
shot has struck us yet."
"Wait a bit, my boy," answered Desmond; "they'll get the range
presently. It's more easy for them to hit a big object like our ship,
than it is for us to reach those little gimcracks of guns."
The Russian riflemen having in the meantime advanced, their bullets kept
whistling through the air, close to the heads of the crew, who, however,
took no more notice of them than had they been pellets from pop-guns.
At last a shot from the _Flash_ struck the earth directly in front of
one of the Russian guns, which at the same instant was fired, and the
next, when the dust and smoke had cleared away, it was seen upset with
its carriage broken, and several gunners lying stretched on the earth on
either side of it. The other guns, however, still kept their position,
and fired away as briskly as before.
"They'll be after getting tired of that," observed Desmond, "if we can
manage to send another of our pills down their throats like the last."
The firing was kept up for some time on both sides without intermission,
no apparent effect being produced on the enemy, while the ship was
frequently hulled by their shot. Still Adair did not despair of getting
her off, and as soon as the tide began to rise, he set to work with
renewed energy. He and his crew seemed to bear charmed lives; for
though the shot caught the rigging above their heads, and came plunging
into the ship's side, not one of them had been hit.
"There's a fresh body of the enemy coming down, sir," said Tom, pointing
to the north-east.
"If they are only Cossacks they'll not harm us," answered Adair, taking
a look in the direction Tom pointed through his telescope. "I am not
quite certain about that same," he observed to his first lieutenant.
"They appear to me to be artillery," answered that officer.
In a few minutes more this became evident; up came the officers,
galloping at full speed, with four more guns.
"They are not of very heavy metal, or they would not come along so
fast," observed Adair. "We'll be ready for them," and he ordered one of
the after-guns to be trained so as to give them a warm reception as soon
as they came within range. As they approached, however, the guns
separated, and took up positions a considerable distance from each
other, while those which had already been engaged followed their
example.
This, of course, increased the difficulties of the _Flash_, as each of
her guns could only engage one opponent at a time. Her heavy
sixty-eight pivot-gun was, however, worked with such rapidity and skill
that the enemy were frequently compelled to abandon their guns, and many
of their men and horses were killed. Still fresh horses were brought up
to move them to new positions, not allowing the crew of the _Flash_ a
moment of rest from their labours. Every time one of their shot was
seen to tell with effect they cheered lustily; and as they worked away
they seemed to enjoy the fun, laughing and joking as if no round-shot
and bullets were whistling through the air near their ears.
The master had just reported that the water had risen another inch, and
Adair had begun to entertain fresh hopes of getting the ship, ere long,
afloat, when the smoke of a steamer was seen in the offing.
"I hope she's the _Tornado_ or _Giaour_," observed Desmond; "they'll be
for sending the boats on shore and putting the enemy to the rout."
Adair naturally hoped pretty much the same, but, on consideration, he
could not help suspecting that the ship in sight was the _Anaconda_,
commanded by Commander Allport, his superior officer, for whom, on
account of previous circumstances which need not just now be mentioned,
he had no special regard.
"At all events, he is a brave fellow, and will stand by me," he said to
himself.
As the stranger drew near, Adair found that his surmises were correct.
He had, in the meantime, been continuing his efforts to get the _Flash_
afloat, the crew working away as energetically as at first.
"She's the _Anaconda_, sir," said Tom, who had been watching the signals
as they appeared at the masthead of the approaching vessel.
"Say the ship's ashore, but I hope to get her off, and beg _Anaconda_ to
stand in and support me," said Adair.
The signals were hoisted. It was possible that the wreaths of smoke
which circled round the ship might have prevented them from being seen
clearly. The enemy continued firing away at her as if hoping to secure
her destruction before support could reach her, while her crew worked
her guns with the same ardour as before. Adair calculated that, in
another hour, she would be afloat, perhaps in less time. The _Anaconda_
stood in nearer, and began again to make signals. Adair looked over the
signal-book.
"It can't be that!" he exclaimed, as he read, "Abandon ship, and come on
board me with your crew."
"There must be some mistake," he added in an undertone. "I wish that I
was blind of one eye and not able to see it. Answer it," he said at
length, "`Before we quit the ship, we'll try what we can do.'"
With reluctant heart he gave the order to heave the pivot-gun overboard,
taking care to secure a buoy to it, hoping that he might yet get it up.
The engine was set going, once more the capstan was manned, but still
the _Flash_ did not move.
"If that Commander Allport would stand in like a true man and lend us a
hand, we might get off even now," exclaimed Desmond. "Arrah, my poor
uncle, 'twill be after breaking his heart to leave the barkey here."
The _Anaconda_ now fired a gun and made fresh signals, ordering Adair
immediately to quit the ship. The boats, all of which had escaped
injury, were hoisted out, and the crew were ordered to leave the ship
they had fought so bravely. Adair was the last man to quit her.
"Well, I am the most unfortunate fellow alive!" he exclaimed.
He was thinking of Lucy and his promotion stopped, and all the other
unpleasant consequences of the loss of his ship. The only thing which
kept up his spirits was the hope that he might persuade Commander
Allport to stand in and make fresh efforts to get her afloat. It was a
wonder none of the boats were struck as they left the ship. They,
however, at length succeeded in getting on board the _Anaconda_.
Commander Allport, who was standing on deck, received Adair with a
supercilious air. He had been many years a lieutenant, and his temper
had been considerably soured before he had got his promotion; indeed,
some of those whom he had known as midshipmen were now admirals, and he
seemed to take especial pleasure in acting in a dictatorial manner
towards all those under him.
"Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you
have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers
are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been
lost to Her Majesty's Service. It won't bring much credit on those
concerned."
Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely
restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your
boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at
bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not
a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they
were received."
"Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only
thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's
hands. I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an
undertaking. Those who have the advantage of experience know that it is
the duty of an officer to watch with a father's care over his people.
We'll stand in closer, and then see what is to be done."
Adair still urged the possibility of saving the _Flash_.
"I am your superior officer, and it is my duty to act as I think fit,
without taking your opinion," answered Commander Allport.
Adair turned away with no very affectionate feeling in his heart towards
his "superior officer."
The _Anaconda_ stood on till, when still at a safe distance from the
enemy's shot, she brought her broadside to bear upon the unfortunate
little _Flash_, and commenced practising with her heavy guns. A groan
escaped from Adair's bosom, echoed by many others from his crew, as he
saw one huge missile after another strike his devoted craft, and in a
short time commit more mischief than the enemy had inflicted on her
during the gallant fight he had waged for so many hours.
"We must take care, should she fall into the hands of the Russians, that
she is reduced to an utter wreck," observed Commander Allport.
"You are certainly setting about the right way to make her so," observed
Adair.
He even now was strongly inclined to urge the old martinet to desist, as
he saw shot after shot strike the hull of his vessel. The enemy, seeing
that the English were engaged in destroying her, wisely saved their own
powder by ceasing to fire, and allowed them to finish the work which
they had commenced.
While the _Anaconda_ was thus employed, another vessel hove in sight,
steaming up from the westward.
"She's the _Giaour_," observed Commander Allport, looking at the
signal-book; "Murray will assist us in knocking her to pieces."
"I very much doubt whether he will do anything of the sort," answered
Adair, unable to restrain himself; "I only wish he had come an hour ago,
to save her from destruction."
"You are forgetting our relative positions, Commander Adair," observed
Commander Allport, beginning now to fume.
"I only expressed my opinion that Murray would not have tried to knock
the _Flash_ to pieces, till he had assisted me in making further efforts
to get her off," answered Adair; "and I only ask you to desist from
firing till you have his opinion."
Now Commander Allport did not recollect that Murray was his senior. The
latter had been promoted a few weeks before him, and would have power to
decide the question. Instead of desisting, however, he directed his
guns so as to concentrate their fire upon one portion of the _Flash_,
thus more completely to ruin her. Adair knew that it would be useless
to plead any longer; his only regret was that he had obeyed his superior
officer's command, and quitted the vessel, instead of remaining on board
and taking the consequences. Had he remained he felt that he would
certainly have run the risk of censure for disobeying orders, but he
would have saved his ship, and that alone would have proved a sufficient
excuse had Commander Allport brought him to a court-martial; which it
was very likely he would not have dared to do. Terence consoled himself
with the reflection that he had fought his ship gallantly, and would
have continued to fight her till she had been knocked to pieces, and
that he had acted in obedience to the orders of a superior in quitting
her.
"Well," he said to himself, "as Murray always used to advise, `Do right
and take the consequences.' I have done right in obeying, but the
consequences are not less unpleasant. I shall be reprimanded for losing
my ship, and shall be sent on shore with a black mark against my name,
and all my prospects in the service ruined; and Sir John will be less
likely than ever to allow me to marry Lucy. I _am_ the most unfortunate
fellow alive." This was about the twentieth time poor Terence had
uttered the expression since he had been compelled to leave the _Flash_.
As long as he continued on her deck, fighting her bravely, he had not
cared half so much about her having run on shore; besides which, he had
never abandoned the hope of getting her off. So completely did his
feelings run away with him that he even began to contemplate, though his
calmer moments would have forbidden him doing so, the idea of calling
out Commander Allport, as the only way of avenging the injury he had
received; but he, happily, had strength to banish the thought almost as
soon as it was conceived, and, walking to the other side of the ship, he
anxiously watched the approach of the _Giaour_.
As soon as she drew near, he ordered his gig, and, without holding any
further communication with Commander Allport, pulled on board her.
"Why, Adair, what have you been doing with the _Flash_?" asked Murray,
as he sprang up the side. Terence briefly explained what had happened,
and declared his conviction that the ship might have been saved by the
adoption of proper measures.
"Instead of that, old Allport is expending powder and shot in making a
target of her, for no earthly reason beyond that of showing that he is
my superior officer, though of equal rank. I wish to goodness he had
been laid on the shelf, the only position he is fit for."
"We must try what can be done," said Murray. "Happily, I am _his_
superior officer, which he will find out by looking at the _Navy List_,
if he does not know it already;" and Murray directed a signal to be made
to the _Anaconda_ to "Cease firing." Commander Allport, who still had
not discovered that Murray was his superior, was at first inclined to
pay no attention to the signal; till his first lieutenant, happening to
know the true state of the case, brought him a _Navy List_, and pointed
out to him Murray's date of promotion.
"The old fellow is in the wrong box," whispered Desmond, he having
observed what was taking place; "there's a chance after all for the
little barkey."
"Cease firing," cried Commander Allport. Directly afterwards Murray
sent his second lieutenant to the _Anaconda_, with a request that the
commander would come on board his ship to consult with him as to the
best means of saving Her Majesty's ship _Flash_, now in sight on the
rocks. The request, of course, amounted to an order, which Commander
Allport, however unwillingly, obeyed.
"Save her?" he exclaimed; "surely you mean destroy her as soon as
possible. I have done my best for the last two hours to knock her to
pieces."
"I am very sorry to hear it," answered Murray; "we should never abandon
a vessel while there is the slightest hope of saving her; and the enemy
might easily have been kept at a sufficient distance to prevent them
from interfering with us, when getting her off. I must ask you to stand
in towards the shore, as close as you can venture, and keep the enemy in
check with your guns."
For the first time for some hours Adair's heart began again to beat with
hope, as the two steamers, with the lead going and a bright look-out
kept ahead, stood towards the shore. The artillery were seen to
limber-up and gallop off, while the infantry scampered away, as fast as
they could go, to a safe distance; judging correctly that as they had
made no material impression upon a single ship, they were unlikely to
impede the proceedings of two.
Murray, accompanied by Adair, and followed by the whole of the boats of
the _Flash_, immediately pulled on board her. Groans, and expressions
which were certainly not groans, however much they were like growls,
proceeded from the crew, as they observed the damage committed by the
_Anaconda's_ shot. A very brief inspection satisfied Murray and Adair
that she was too completely ruined to allow of any hope that she could
be got off.
"It can't be helped," exclaimed poor Terence; "the only thing now to be
done is to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy. I would
sooner have gone down in her to the bottom of this wretched pool than
this should have happened. We must blow her up; I know it--I am the
most unhappy fellow alive--I shall never get another ship, and Lucy is
farther off than ever."
"We must set her on fire, of course, or the enemy will boast that they
have captured her; but as to any blame being attached to you personally
at a court-martial, I don't believe it," answered Murray, in a tone
calculated to soothe the feelings of his friend. "From what I see, I am
pretty sure that, had old Allport not taken it into his head to knock
her to pieces, we should have got her off and put her to rights in a few
hours. The side exposed to the enemy is but slightly damaged, and he
allows that you must have fought her bravely, and that he only ordered
you to desert her for the sake of preserving the lives of you and her
crew. The first thing, however, we have to do is to weigh her guns."
Murray, having formed his plans, summoned the larger boats of the
squadron, when, after much labour, the guns were weighed, and conveyed
on board the _Giaour_. The Russian troops had taken their departure,
and a good many parties of the peasantry were seen on the shore,
spectators of what was going on, probably hoping that the wreck would be
deserted, and that they should find a rich booty on board her. They
were to be disappointed. Now came the scene most trying to Adair;
everything of value, and that time would allow, was removed; the _Flash_
was set on fire, and the boats pulled away, leaving her in flames fore
and aft.
"There goes our little barkey," exclaimed Desmond; and in a short time
she blew up, covering the sea on every side with the fragments of wreck.
"I am glad, Tom, it was not you or I got her on shore; I don't envy old
Fusty his feelings, if he's got any; perhaps he hasn't. If Uncle
Terence doesn't get a ship, he'll be for cutting the service and going
out and settling in Australia; and I intend to go with him, to keep
sheep and ride after wild cattle, and lead an independent sort of life.
I say, Tom, won't you come too?"
"Oh no; I am bound to come out here, and marry my little Feodorowna,"
answered Tom; "though perhaps she'd like to come out to Australia with
me."
"You be hanged, Tom! that's all nonsense," answered Desmond. "I thought
you had forgotten all about that affair."
"Of course not!" exclaimed Tom indignantly; "if she's faithful to me, I
am bound to be faithful to her."
"Always provided Sir John approves of your faithfulness," put in
Desmond.
"Let's change the subject," said Tom. "It's time that you and I and
Gordon should pass for seamanship, and as soon as we go home we shall
get through the college and gunnery, and then, I hope, before long get
our promotion."
Castles in the air erected by midshipmen are apt to fall to pieces, as
well as those built by older persons. They serve, however, to amuse
their architects, and after all, as they do not exhaust the strength or
energy, are not productive of any harm.
The squadron continued their depredations along the coast, till not a
Russian vessel, or any craft larger than a cock-boat, remained afloat,
and every storehouse and stack of corn or hay which could be got at by
the British seamen had been destroyed. As no private property was
intentionally injured, these proceedings produced scarcely the slightest
ill-will among the inhabitants, though they might have thought the
perpetrators somewhat impious for thus daring to offend their sacred
Emperor. History tells how gallantly the naval brigade behaved before
Sebastopol, and how at length, the night before that proud fortress
fell, the Russians sank their remaining line-of-battle ships; and how
the English and French admirals, to prevent a single keel from escaping,
placed their fleets across the mouth of the harbour, when the garrison,
despairing of saving even their steamers, set them on fire with their
own hands; and after proud Sebastopol had fallen, how Kinburn, not far
from the mouths of the Boug and the Dnieper, a strong casemated fort,
armed with seventy heavy guns, supported by well-made earthworks, each
furnished with ten guns more, was attacked by the combined fleets. Its
best defence, however, existed in the shallowness of the surrounding
water and the intricacy of the navigation, so that ships of the line
could not approach it; while the smaller vessels ran the risk of getting
on shore when attempting to do so.
The fleet consisted of between thirty and forty steam-vessels, and
numerous transports conveying four thousand troops. The French had as
many troops, but fewer ships of war; among them, however, were three
newly-invented floating batteries, from which the Emperor Napoleon
expected, it was said, great things. Difficult as was the navigation,
every inch of ground was well known to the commanders of the fleets, it
having been thoroughly surveyed by Captain Spratt of the _Spitfire_.
Early on the morning of the 15th the troops were thrown on shore, to the
south of the principal fort, when they immediately entrenched their
position, to cut off the retreat of the garrison. The next day proving
too rough for the ships to co-operate with the troops, the attack was
postponed; but on the 17th the work was begun in earnest by the English
mortar-boats, which first opened fire on the devoted fort. The French
floating batteries followed suit, throwing their shot and shell with
effective precision, while the enemy's round-shot dropped harmless from
their iron sides, their shells shivering against them like glass. After
this game had been carried on for about a couple of hours, the ships of
the line stood in on the southern side of the forts, till they got
within twelve hundred yards.
"Now comes our turn!" exclaimed Jack Rogers to Adair, who was serving as
a volunteer on board the _Tornado_, which ship, following close astern
of the _Giaour_, formed one of a large squadron of steamers which had
been directed to approach the forts on the northern side.
The two squadrons reached their destined positions at the same time,
when they both opened a tremendous fire, literally raining down shot and
shell upon the hapless garrison. Stubborn as were the Russians, human
endurance could not long withstand such a fire.
"Faith, I'm very glad I'm not inside those walls," said Gerald to Tom,
as they watched the effects of their shot, hundreds of shells bursting
in the air together, and raining down fragments of iron on the heads of
the unfortunate garrison; "if each round-shot and shell only kills a
single man, there won't be one left alive in the course of a few
minutes."
"Fortunately, I fancy that it takes fully five shot to kill a man,"
answered Tom, though he may not have been perfectly correct in his
estimate.
"I should doubt if even a cat could escape, unless she hid herself in a
cellar," said Desmond; "it is tremendous."
His last remark correctly described the scene; from the two lines there
issued, without intermission, flashes and wreaths of smoke, each
denoting the passage of an engine of destruction against the fortress;
the shells forming continuous arches in the air, the shot flying with
more direct aim, till the whole atmosphere became filled with dense
clouds of smoke, amid which the walls of the fort and dark hulls of the
ships, with their masts and rigging, could only be indistinctly seen.
At the end of ten minutes there appeared, in a conspicuous part of the
fort, a white flag. In an instant, as if by magic, the wild uproar
ceased, and the only sounds heard were the cheers of the seamen at their
speedily-gained victory.
The admirals at once proceeded on shore, when the governor and his
officers, coming out of the fort, presented their swords, which were
politely returned to them, when a French garrison was left in the fort.
Two generals and a large staff of officers thus became prisoners,
besides which a large number of guns, ammunition, and stores were
captured.
As the Government still held out, the fleet proceeded to the attack of
Oczakov, but, greatly to the disappointment of the allies, the Russians
evacuated it, and blew it up. This was almost the last action of any
consequence during the war; though the Mosquito fleet still continued
their depredations on the shores of the Sea of Azov till the winter
compelled them to retire, when, before the return of spring, peace with
Russia was concluded.