rybody, that is, but Bob, who, instead of stepping back
like the others, stepped forwards.

At the same moment the signal was given, "Fire!"

A terrific report followed, as if the ship and all its contents were
blown up, there being none of the reverberating sound, like that usually
heard when heavy guns are fired, as of an express train rushing at speed
through the air; but a dull, hollow, sullen, sharp roar, succeeded by
the heavy swish of some body, or something, falling into the water
alongside, while a thick smoke hung over the deck like a pall.

"By Jingo!" exclaimed the Captain, "the gun has burst!"

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

BOB GETS "BLOWN UP."

The unexpected explosion, though, caused no confusion, nor indeed any
apparent excitement such as would have at once occurred had the accident
happened on shore; for, thanks to the admirable discipline always
observed on board a man-of-war that flies the glorious old Union Jack,
not a man stirred from his station.

It was only through the unusual stillness that prevailed for a moment or
two afterwards, that those not on deck became aware that something out
of the common had occurred.

"Anybody hurt?" sang out, presently, the officer commanding the ship
from the bridge, near the conning tower, where he had been directing her
steering--"Anybody hurt there, forrud?"

"No, sir," promptly replied the gunnery lieutenant in charge of the
firing-party, who was standing close by the exploded gun. "Not a soul,
sir!"

"Thank God!" said the other in a tone of deep feeling, the anxious
expression clearing from his face. "It's a wonderful escape!"

It was--and more. It was a merciful interposition of Providence!

There were three flag-officers, four post-captains, and several others
of lesser rank, in addition to a number of blue-jackets in the immediate
neighbourhood of the exploded gun when it burst; but, strange to say,
although the muzzle of the weapon had been blown off completely from the
chase at the trunnions, and some hundred-weight of the fragments
scattered in all directions, many of them piercing the deck and screen
bulkhead, every one fortunately escaped injury.

While exchanging congratulations with the other officers, all at once
Captain Dresser looked about him for Bob.

But, nowhere was he to be seen in sight.

"By Jove, he must have been blown overboard, and that was the splash in
the water I heard!" he exclaimed in alarm; and, turning to his frien