possible."

The order, which the men unwillingly obeyed, was given. Snatchblock
came aft to the helm, and Terence walked forward, while Jack stood at
his usual post to con the brig. Needham gave a fond look at Long Tom as
he went below.

"I only wish, old fellow, that I could stop on deck and let you send a
shot or two into those batteries ahead," he exclaimed, apostrophising
his gun.

Jack and Terence felt something like men leading a forlorn hope, but
felt that they must of necessity expose themselves to the round shot and
bullets of the enemy. They had not long to wait before the guns from
the battery opened fire; the first shot struck the starboard bulwarks
and went through them, the next plunged right down on the deck, and
others followed in quick succession. The enemy now opened with grape
and canister, numerous shots passing through the sails, and several
others striking the deck and bulwarks. Had the crew not gone below many
must have been killed or wounded; Jack and Terence, now the only two
exposed, were still unhurt, though several missiles whistled close to
their ears, and half a dozen lodged in the barricade erected for the
protection of Snatchblock. All Jack's attention was required for
conning the brig, so that he could attend to nothing else. After a shot
had gone through the deck, he heard cries proceeding up the hatchway as
if some one had been hurt below, but he had no time to inquire who was
the sufferer. Though from his natural temperament he took a pleasure in
being under fire, still he never so heartily wished himself out of it as
he did at present. It would have been a different matter had he been
able to defend his ship instead of being compelled to glide slowly by
and be peppered at without returning a shot. It was, indeed, extremely
trying, and it seemed a wonder, considering the number of shots fired
down into her, that she was not sent to the bottom. At length the brig
had to stand farther out from the cliffs, in a direction where fewer
guns could reach her, and Jack determined to try if he could not silence
those likely to annoy him with a few rockets and a dose of canister from
the carronades. Calling Needham and a dozen of hands on deck, he gave
the order. Never did men spring up with greater alacrity. Terence
directed the rockets, which pitched right into the fort, while the
canister coming directly after, must have driven the Spaniards from
their guns, for not a shot w