approach, and the boat was evidently pulling on
rapidly before them. Bright sparkles of light fell from the blades of
their oars, and in their wake appeared a long fiery line, as the boat
glided over the dark smooth water.

Two of the fire-ships were still burning, and their position, with the
distant signal-lights of the frigate, enabled them to keep in the
direction they believed the two midshipmen had drifted. The Chinamen's
boat pulled fast, and they appeared to be very slightly gaining on her.
Adair believed that the only chance of saving his old companions' lives
was to overtake her. Mr Cherry already gave them up as lost, still he
was determined, if possible, to overhaul the boat. The crew bent
manfully to their oars.

It did not occur to any one for some time that they had left the ship
unarmed; except that two of the men had pistols in their belts, and one
had still his cutlass, while Mr Cherry had jumped into the boat without
unbuckling his sword.

"Never mind; the boat's stretchers must serve those who haven't better
weapons. Very likely the Chinamen in the boats are no better off,"
exclaimed Terence, in his eagerness. The lieutenant agreeing with him,
on they went.

"We shall have her at last," cried Adair; "we are gaining on her, I am
certain of it. But hillo! what are those lights there, ahead of us?" he
added after some time. The question was soon answered, for looming
through the darkness appeared a long line of large war-junks, behind
which the boat of which they were in pursuit rapidly glided. They must
have been seen from the junks, for directly afterwards they were saluted
by a thick shower of jingall bullets, while several round shot came
whizzing past them. Terence, in the impulse of the moment, was for
dashing on and attacking the nearest junks, but, as Mr Cherry had
discretion as well as valour, he ordered the men to pull round their
starboard oars, and to get out of the range of the shot as fast as they
could. It was rather too much for even six British seamen and two
officers to do, to attack a whole fleet of war-junks. Terence was of
the same opinion. With heavy hearts they pulled back against the
current to the frigate, fully believing that Rogers and Murray were lost
to them for ever. As soon as they made their report, Captain Grant
expressed his wish to make an attempt, at all events, to ascertain the
fate of the two midshipmen. If the frigate was got under weigh with th