erns alight and men at quarters,
and its crew at once jumped on board the Frenchman. Coghlan, as was
proper, jumped first, landed on a trawl-net hung up to dry, and, while
sprawling helpless in its meshes, was thrust through the thigh with a
pike, and with his men--several also severely hurt--tumbled back into
the boat. The British picked themselves up, hauled their boat a little
farther ahead, clambered up the sides of the _Cerbere_ once more, and
were a second time beaten back with new wounds. They clung to the
Frenchman, however, fought their way up to a new point, broke through
the French defences, and after killing or wounding twenty-six of the
enemy--or more than every fourth man of the _Cerbere's_ crew--actually
captured her, the other two boats coming up in time to help in towing
out the prize under a wrathful fire from the batteries. Coghlan had
only one killed and eight wounded, himself being wounded in two places,
and his middy in six. Sir Edward Pellew, in his official despatch,
grows eloquent over "the courage which, hand to hand, gave victory to a
handful of brave fellows over four times their number, and the skill
which planned, conducted, and effected so daring an enterprise." Earl
St. Vincent, himself the driest and grimmest of admirals, was so
delighted with the youthful Irishman's exploit that he presented him
with a handsome sword.

In 1811, again, Great Britain was at war with the Dutch--a tiny little
episode of the great revolutionary war. A small squadron of British
ships was cruising off Batavia. A French squadron, with troops to
strengthen the garrison, was expected daily. The only fortified port
into which they could run was Marrack, and the commander of the British
squadron cruising to intercept the French ships determined to make a
dash by night on Marrack, and so secure the only possible landing-place
for the French. Marrack was defended by batteries mounting fifty-four
heavy guns. The attacking force was to consist of 200 seamen and 250
troops, under the command of Lieutenant Lyons of the _Minden_. Just
before the boats pushed off, however, the British commander learned
that the Dutch garrison had been heavily reinforced, and deeming an
assault too hazardous, the plan was abandoned. A few days afterwards
Lyons, with the _Minden's_ launch and cutter, was despatched to land
nineteen prisoners at Batavia, and pick up intelligence. Lyons, a very
daring and gallant officer, learned