explosion vessels led the way, under all sail. Morton stood at the helm
of his fireship to guide her course, his heart beating as it had seldom
beat before. He was calm and collected, but fully impressed with the
awful nature of the work in which he was engaged. The darkness rendered
the moment still more solemn. He could not help feeling also that at
any instant he and those with him might be launched into eternity.

The train was laid, all was ready; a spark from one of the explosion
vessels might ignite it suddenly. He could not see live yards from
where he stood. The darkness was oppressive. A single star in the sky
above would have been a relief. His ship proceeded under easy sail, to
give time for the explosion vessels to produce the intended effect. The
eyes of all on board were on the watch for the awful event. They could
hear the people of the vessels on either side of them, but could not
catch even an outline of their forms. Thus the fleet of fire-ships
glided on to their work of destruction.

"The leading explosion vessel must be near the boom," observed Job
Truefitt, who had accompanied him. "Nothing can have gone amiss, I
hope."

"Not where he is, sir," answered Bob, confidently. "See--there! there!"

A terrific roar was heard. Bright flames darted forth, seeming to reach
the very sky, and illuminating the whole surrounding space hitherto
shrouded in darkness. In the centre the light fell on the fire-ships on
either side, on the two light vessels with the high land and the forts
behind them, while right ahead was the French fleet riding calmly at
anchor. Like some ocean volcano, the explosion vessel continued for a
few moments sending upwards its sheets of flame, while missiles of every
description were flying in showers around.

Ronald trembled for the fate of his gallant friend. Could he have had
time to escape?

Ronald's own turn was to come soon. The fire which had been raging so
furiously, ceased as rapidly as it had commenced, and all was again
dark. Not a minute had passed when a second volcano burst forth, and
burnt like the first.

"Now, lads, make sail!" shouted Ronald.

The topsails were on the caps; they were hoisted and sheeted home; the
courses were let fall, and Ronald steered his fire-ship directly for the
spot where the first explosion had taken place. He hoped the boom had
been broken, but if not, he expected to be able to force a passage with
his ship. He fan