fastest. The roar
of the guns, the crashing of the shot as they struck the ships, and the
shouts of the men, increasing every instant, became perfectly deafening.

About an hour from the time the gallant little _Philomel_ got under
fire, the action became general. Several of the vessels were suffering
severely; on board the French commodore's brig especially the men were
falling fast, while numberless shots struck her between wind and water.

The effect of the terrific cannonading going on was to make the wind
fall light, and some of the ships, therefore, were unable to reach the
exact stations assigned to them; the consequence was, that they were
exposed, more than would otherwise have been the case, to the fire of
the batteries.

Murray had carried his vessel as close as he could, and Jack did not
fail to follow his example. Round shot and grape came sweeping over
their decks, some of the missiles striking the hulls of the vessels,
others going through their sails and cutting up the rigging; but the
hotter the fire became, the more the British seamen seemed to enjoy the
fun, tossing about their guns with right good will, and sending shot
after shot, well aimed, into the batteries.

"I say, this is pretty hot work, Archy," observed Desmond; "I wonder how
long it is going to last?"

"I suppose till we drive the enemy from their guns and take possession
of their fort, unless they blow themselves up, and finish the batteries
in that way," answered Gordon.

"But, I say! look there! what are those craft about?"

Archy, as he spoke, pointed ahead, where about a dozen vessels were seen
bearing down on the squadron from the upper part of the river.
Presently, first one, and then another, burst into flames.

"They are fireships!" cried Desmond, "and if they come aboard they will
blow us all into smithereens."

"The steamers won't let them do that," observed Gordon; "see, they are
paddling towards them, and will sink or tow them out of the way before
they touch us, I hope."

Still the danger was imminent. It was evident that the steamers could
not take all of them in tow at once, and while some were got hold of,
others might continue their course.

The commanders of the men-of-war made preparations for the reception of
the fireships, and got their boats ready to tow them away, should they
threaten to drift closer than was safe. On came the burning masses; the
steamers had got hold of some of them.

"That fel