at is it, boy?--why don't you answer me?"

"You don't give me time; but I can see now. She's coaling up, and there
are men forward working with oars."

"Do you say that?" he said, pushing me away from the glass. "Do you say
that she's coaling? By thunder, you're right! We'll have her oil yet;
and then let them as come after me look to themselves!"

As he said the last word he stepped from the conning-tower on to the
bridge, and I followed him.

There, at the distance of a third of a mile away on the starboard bow,
was the crippled cruiser, helpless by her look; and our light fell full
upon her, showing men in great activity upon her decks, and others
running forward as though there were danger also in the fo'castle. The
night around us was very dark, and the huge, heaving swell shone black
as pitch in mountains and cavities below the gallery. We two were alone
there upon the ocean, finishing that terrible duel--if, indeed, the end
had not come, as I thought from the silence of the other.

"Skipper, are you going aboard her now?" asked the man "Roaring John,"
who came to us on the bridge. "She's done by her looks, and you'll get
no oil if ye delay. Karl there, he ain't as comfortable as if he were
in his bed."

The little German was very far from it. He was almost desperate when
minute by minute his stock of oil grew less; and he ran from one to the
other, as though we had grease in our pockets, and could give it to
him.

Black took due notice, but did not lose his calm. His cigar was now
glowing red, and he took it often from his mouth, looking at the
lighted end of it as a man does who is thinking quickly.

"You're quite sure she's done, John?" he asked, turning to the big man.

"She's done, I guess, or why don't she spit? If she's got another kick
in her, send me to the devil!"

The words had scarce left his lips when the cruiser's aft guns
thundered out almost together, and one shell passed through the very
centre of our group. It cut the man John in half as he might have been
cut by a sword, and his blood and flesh splashed us, while the other
half of him stood up like a bust upon the deck, and during one horrible
moment his arms moved wildly, and there was a horrid quivering of the
muscles of his face. The second shot struck the roof of the turret
obliquely, and glanced from it into the sea. The destruction seemed to
move Black no more than a rain shower. He simply cried: "All hands to
cover; I'm going