they went, carrying havoc, terror, and confusion wherever they went;
their loud explosions, added to the roar of the guns, which opened on
them from the whole French squadron, increasing the awfulness of the
scene. The enemy soon saw that their firing was in vain: even their
boats failed to tow aside the fiery masses borne down on them by the
gale. One after the other they cut their cables, and attempted to run
up the harbour; but in the darkness and confusion, aided by terror at
their approaching foes, they ran on shore, some on one side, some on the
other; some were already grappled by the flaming ships, which literally
covered them with showers of fire, while all the time the roar of the
guns sounded as if a general action was taking place. Most of the
fire-ships had got inside the boom, but Morton saw that one only just
beginning to burn would miss it.

"Now, my lads, we'll get hold of her, and tow her down on the
Frenchmen!" he exclaimed.

"Ay, ay, sir! we're all ready," was the answer.

On they dashed towards the flaming mass. They got hold of the burning
vessel, and towed her up towards the now retreating French ships.

Ronald saw Lord Claymore similarly engaged with another fire-ship.
While they were pulling on one of the French frigates made sail, and
passed to windward of them. As she did so she discharged her broadside
into the two fire-ships, but the boats escaped without damage.

They were, however, compelled to let go, and allow the fire-ships to
proceed on their course alone.

"Well done, Morton, those craft are performing their duty admirably!" he
shouted. "It is time, however, to be out of this; we can do no more at
present, I fear."

Morton's own boats and others had joined with Lord Claymore's. There
was no difficulty now in seeing their way; the fire-ships gave them
light enough. The explosions and the cannonading had much lulled the
wind; the boats which had ventured inside the boom had again nearly
reached it, when one of the enemy, which had driven on shore, was seen
to be grappled by a fire-ship. In vain the Frenchmen strove to free
themselves; their burning enemy held them in her deadly embrace till
their ship was set on fire in several places; not till then did the
fire-ship drift on, leaving them to their fate. They were lowering some
of their boats, but most of them had been destroyed. It was too clear
that numbers of the hapless crew must fall victims to the flames.

"Th