out?"

"No, sir; 'pears to have struck work like. Beg pardon, sir; but seeing
as some on us may be gone to Davy Jones's locker 'fore night--not
meaning you, o' course, but him--wouldn't it be handsome-like to go and
make friends, and offer him your hand?"

"I have done so more than once, Strake," said Syd, sternly, as he
recalled the midshipman's action on the previous day, "but I can't do it
again."

"All right, sir, you knows best, o' course," said the boatswain, and he
went off to his duty.

The men worked hard, and by the time the frigate was close in there were
the provisions and water in the upper battery, and a good supply in the
works about the flagstaff.

"You can do no more, Belton," said Mr Dallas. "I don't want to
discourage you, but without help from sea we can only manage to hold out
as long as possible, and give the enemy a tough job, for Old England's
sake. Are the colours flying well?"

"Yes, sir, splendidly."

"That's right, then. Now, one word of advice; don't fire a shot at the
frigate. With your two guns you can do her very little harm. Save your
powder for the boats--round shot when they are coming to the shore, and
grape as they are landing. Keep your men cool, and only let them fire
when there is a good chance."

_Bang_!

The first shot from seaward followed by a crash, and the sound of stones
falling as the frigate tried her range, and sent a heavy ball against
the side of the gap.

"Did not know she was so near," said the lieutenant.

"But about you, sir? Shall I have you carried up to the flagstaff?"

"Certainly not, my lad, never mind me. Go and do your duty. God save
the King!"

"God save the King!" echoed Syd, as he shook hands with the lieutenant,
and hurried down to the little battery, to find that the frigate had
drawn as close in as she could, but dared not come right in front of the
gap, for her boat out sounding had discovered a reef right opposite. So
after firing a few shots obliquely, all of which struck the north side
of the gap, she made sail and went round to the other side of the reef,
where disappointment again awaited her captain; for here again he could
only fire obliquely, and send the stones rattling down on the south side
of the gap.

But he went on firing for about an hour before shifting his position
once more, and then feeling his way in exactly opposite, but quite out
of range.

This was an unexpected change in favour of the defender, f