fleet. Under the persistent and terrible fire of the
warriors the two lines of boats were beginning to sag apart. There were
some collisions, and, although no boat had yet been sunk, there was
danger of it. The apprehensions of Adam Colfax and his lieutenants were
many and great, and they were fully justified.

The boat of the five came alongside the _Independence_, and Adam Colfax
looked down at it.

"We want to come on board," called out Henry.

The _Independence_ slowed just a little, and Henry and Shif'less Sol
sprang upon her. The other three remained in the boat. Bullets struck
near them as they boarded the _Independence_, but none touched them. It
was still raining hard, with the vivid accompaniment of wind, thunder,
and lightning. Another thunderbolt had struck close by, but fortunately
nobody had been hurt.

"We've a plan to suggest, if you should think good of it, sir," shouted
Henry in Adam Colfax's ear--he was compelled to shout just then because
of the thunder.

"What is it?" Adam Colfax shouted back.

"How far away would you say that bonfire is?" asked Henry, pointing to
one of the great fires on the southern shore.

"Not more than four hundred yards."

"Then, sir, we can put it out."

"Put it out?" exclaimed Adam Colfax in amazement. "I would not dare to
land men for such a purpose!"

"It is not necessary. We must shoot it out. You've got good gunners, and
the cannon can then do it. They might put a lot of the warriors there
out of the fight at the same time."

One of the brass twelve pounders was mounted on the _Independence_, and
Adam Colfax was taken at once with the idea.

"I should have thought of that before," he said. "I hate to lose any of
our cannon balls, but we must spare a few. Uncover the gun and aim at
the nearest fire, hitting it at the base if you can."

This to the gunners, who obeyed eagerly. They had been chafing
throughout the running of the gantlet as they stood beside their beloved
but idle piece.

The tompion was drawn from the gun, the polished brass of which gleamed
through the night and the rain. It was a splendid piece, and the chief
gunner, as well as Adam Colfax, looked at it with pride.

"You are to shoot that fire out, and at the same time shoot out as much
else with it as you can," the leader said to the gunner.

"I can do it," replied the gunner with pride and confidence. "I shall
load with grape shot, triple charge."

Adam Colfax nodded. The triple