eason why you should join us in our proposed attack on
Algiers," said the officer. "I must introduce myself to you as Henry
Vernon, a name not unknown to fame. I am a nephew of the admiral, and
my desire is to emulate his deeds."

Nettleship at once agreed to accompany the fleet, and expressed his
readiness to take part in the expected engagement.

"We have no help for it," he said to Tom and me; "and I think I am
justified in agreeing to Mr Vernon's proposal. We shall, I expect, see
some heavy work. Algiers is a strong place, I'm told, and the Algerines
are not likely to knock under without trying to defend themselves."

Tom and I were of course well pleased with this.

The Spanish ship, the _Guerrero_ having taken us in tow, continued her
course after the fleet. We waited just out of sight of land till
nightfall, when, some of the smaller vessels piloting ahead, we stood in
towards the Bay of Algiers.

Before daybreak the troops were embarked on board a number of galleys
and gunboats, which landed them a short distance from the town.

By Harry Vernon's advice we dropped our anchor out of range of the
Algerine guns, as the brig could not be of any assistance in the attack.
Nettleship had resolved to go on board the flag-ship to assist. Tom
and I asked him to take us with him. He replied that it was impossible
for both of us to go, but that Tom Pim should remain in charge of the
brig with four hands, while the rest of us should go on board the
_Guerrero_ to assist in working her guns. Tom did not at all like this
arrangement, but Nettleship replied that as he was senior to me, he was
the proper person to take charge of the brig. We shook hands with him
as we went down the side to go on board the flag-ship.

"Never mind, Tom," said Nettleship, "you're doing your duty by remaining
where you are."

The Admiral Don Antonio Barcelo expressed his pleasure, through Harry
Vernon, at having the assistance of so many English officers and men,
whose noted courage, he said, would animate his crew.

The wind being fair at daybreak, the line-of-battle ships stood slowly
in, each having to take up an appointed position before the town. The
ships were stationed as close as they could venture, the gun and mortar
boats being placed in the intervals between them, but still closer to
the shore.

Scarcely had the anchors been dropped and the sails furled, than the
Algerines began blazing away along the whole line of the