that the
Frenchies would make a mess of it? They may be good for something
on land; but at sea--"

There was no hearing the end of the sentence; for with a roar like
that of a volcano in eruption one of the ships burst into a mass of
flames, whilst the rest became lighted up by the glare, and were
soon adding to the conflagration--the fire racing up their masts
and rigging, and showing them against the black waters like vessels
of lambent flame.

"How beautiful, yet how terrible!" cried Corinne, as she gazed with
fascinated eyes. "But look--look--look--look how the water is torn
up with the shower of lead that falls from them! Are they not like
fiery dragons spouting out sheets of fire? Oh, and listen how they
hiss and roar! Are they not like live things? Oh, it is the most
terrible thing I have ever seen. How glad I am that they are not
running amongst the English ships! They are beautiful, terrible
creatures; but I think they are doing no hurt to anything."

"And look yonder!" cried Peter, pointing landwards in great
excitement; "see those long red lines drawn up on shore! Those are
our English soldiers, all ready to receive the foe should they seek
to land under cover of this noise and smoke and confusion. As
though our British grenadiers would be scared by false fire like
yon fireworks!"

"And see, see again!" yelled Paul, still more excited--"see our
sailors getting to their boats! They are going to row out and
grapple those flaming monsters. See if it be not so. They are
drifting down a little too near our few ships. You will see now for
yourself, Corinne, the stuff of which our mariners are made!"

"Oh surely, surely they will not go near those terrible vessels!"
cried Corinne.

"Yes, but they will," cried Arthur, watching their movements
keenly; "oh, would I were with them to help! See, see! they are
getting their grappling irons into the boats. That means they are
going to grapple these blazing ships, and tow them somewhere out of
harm's way. Hurrah for England and England's sailors! Now you will
see what our answer will be to these fiery messengers."

Corinne clasped her hands in mute wonder and amaze as the boats
shot off from shore, bearing straight down upon the great fire
raft--the most formidable of all the fleet--which was spouting
flame and lead, and blazing like a live volcano, roaring the while
like a veritable wild beast, as though animated by a demon of fury.

"They never can go near it