ine of the fort appeared up against the sky, though as yet the
masts of the vessels could not be discerned. There was no doubt,
however, of their being on the right course. Not a word was spoken.
The men scarcely dared to breathe as they pulled on, so anxious were
they to avoid discovery. Like a snake coiling its way among the grass,
the line of boats advanced steadily up the harbour. The fort was
passed. Deane thought he could hear the footsteps of the sentry as he
passed up and down; but as yet they were not seen or heard. Probably
not dreaming of an enemy approaching the harbour, he had neglected to
turn his eyes down towards the entrance. Now he burst forth in a song
about his distant home and its vine-clad hills. Jack could almost hear
the words as they came floating over the still water. The boats had got
some way up the harbour, and now the vessels which were to be attacked
appeared before them. Suddenly a sharp report of a musket was heard.
It was fired from the fort. The sounds of the oars borne from the
harbour must have reached the sentry's ears. Another shot succeeded it
from the same direction. The boats glided rapidly on. Lights were seen
on board the vessels, and several sharp reports of muskets told them
they were discovered. Not a moment was to be lost. The first vessel
was a large ship, probably mounting between twenty and thirty guns. Mr
Cammock ordered the boat next to him to board her along with him, while
the two latter boats were to attack the vessel astern of her, which was
not much inferior in size. The Frenchmen, roused from their sleep,
started up on deck to meet the English climbing up the sides with their
cutlasses in their teeth. Jack, following Mr Cammock, was among the
first on board. They were met by a party of the French, led by one of
their officers. On every side pistols were flashing and steel was
clashing furiously.

"Clear the decks of them, my lads!" cried Mr Cammock, as with his
hanger he rushed towards those who opposed him.

The Frenchmen gave way, so furious and sudden was the attack. Some
leaped overboard, others jumped down below, and others cried for
quarter. The lieutenant ordering the crew of the other boat to cut the
cable and make sail, cried out to Jack and his own boat's crew to follow
him, that they might take the next vessel. All obeyed with alacrity;
but the work was far more serious than that which had just been
performed, for the Frenchme