perfect storm of bullets came hurtling
close overhead.

Things were beginning to get rather too warm for the prisoner where he
was, he felt; especially as certain screams and cries from those about
him indicated that the volley had been excellently directed. He
therefore determined to seek shelter without further delay--for he had
no wish to be killed by his own party--and hastily dragged himself into
the shelter of the lighter's low bulwark.

The soldiers, encouraged by their officer, responded gamely to the
attack upon them, and opened a well-sustained fire on their opponents,
who by now had drawn within range, even of the muskets. From his new
position Frobisher could see the splinters flying aboard several of the
pursuing boats, while an occasional yell or scream showed that some at
least of the Korean bullets were finding their billets; but several
stark, motionless forms lying about the deck of the lighter showed the
superior marksmanship and weapons of the rebels.

The latter were now beginning to steal up alongside, though about a
hundred yards still separated the combatants, and the firing became
general on both sides. Indeed, so determined and persistent was the
fusillade, that there was a continuous roar and rattle of sound; while
the silvery sheen of the moonlit night was reddened by the glare of the
rifle-flashes.

Before coming to the East, Frobisher had believed, in common with many
other people, that the Koreans were a cowardly and effeminate race,
always more eager to avoid than to engage in a conflict--a race which
brought about its ends by cunning and treachery rather than by force of
arms. But, whatever the characteristics of the nation as a whole might
be, he could not fail to admire the vigour and energy with which both
sides were conducting this already sanguinary little battle on the
waters of the Han.

To ensure that there should be no lack of ammunition the soldiers had
adopted the same expedient as Frobisher's at the camp. They had opened
up several of the captured cases of ammunition, and had thrown their
contents into one big heap in the middle of the lighter's deck, so that
every man might the more easily help himself; and the prisoner
congratulated himself that he was at some distance from the pile, for he
had no desire to repeat his experience of a few days previously.

The two squadrons were soon running downstream level with each other,
the steam pinnace having reduced speed