to be encountered and knew every risk he was running. The expedition
rendezvoused round the _Hastings_. The ships stood in as close as the
depth of water would allow them, and then, opening their fire, the boats
shoved off and pulled away for the bridge which led to the castle. As
soon as they appeared a heavy fire of musketry was opened on them from
the fortifications; but in the face of it the men clambered upon the
bridge and, led by their gallant commander, rapidly pushed on across it.
Jack and Terence eagerly watched the progress of the boats through
their telescopes. Their chief sympathy was concentrated on that which
contained Murray and his fortunes. They looked upon him as a dear
brother, and, in spite of their apparent light-heartedness, they both
felt the deepest anxiety for his safety. In a very short time the whole
party were hid from sight by the thick smoke which surrounded them.
Murray, with his brave companions, in spite of the leaden shower which
came pattering around their heads, pushed on till they reached the spot
where the train was laid. A few buckets of water, brought for the
purpose, quickly cut off the train; then on they went to the gates of
the castle. They were not long in blowing it open. In they rushed,
putting the defenders to flight, who made their escape by an opposite
gate, rejoicing in the belief that the infidel besiegers would soon be
blown up sky high, and become the food of ghouls and vampires. They
were sorely disappointed when they found that the castle did not blow
up, and that the giaours had taken entire possession of it. The English
leader saw that no time was to be lost. He and his men hunted about and
soon came upon the casks of powder of which they were in search. "Now,
my lads, heave them over the walls into the sea," he sang out, setting
the example which the men were ready enough to follow. Cask after cask
was stove and thrown into the sea till some sixty or seventy casks had
been destroyed. Sentries had been placed to give notice of the approach
of the enemy. Notice was given that they were returning in force.
"Now, my lads," cried Captain W--, "we'll carry off some of these casks
to pepper the fellows with their own powder." The idea just suited the
taste of the seamen. Each man shouldered a cask, and, fearless of the
consequences should a spark of fire get inside one of them, away they
scampered through the gates and across the bridge with their booty