nd
ordering his nephew and me to follow.

We now found that he had devised a new plan of attack. Summoning all
the lighter frigates, he placed on board a number of men, and supplied
each also with several guns of larger calibre than they were wont to
carry. Going himself on board one of them, the _Fox_, with Robert
Blake, Lancelot and I, he led the way towards a narrow channel between
the open sea and the roadstead, directly opposite Saint Mary's.

Our progress was slow, but by dint of towing and warping we advanced
unmolested, until we reached the harbour of Saint Mary's.

The castle, as we were seen approaching, commenced thing, when dropping
our anchors, with springs to our cables, we returned the salute with our
broadsides.

In a few minutes the harbour, which had looked so bright and calm, was
canopied by dense wreaths of smoke; the shot came crashing into the
sides of the vessels, or splashing into the water, while our ears were
deafened by the roar of the guns thundering from the castle and from our
own and the corsairs' fleets.

Though frequently struck, we received less damage than I had
anticipated, while we soon perceived that the ill-constructed walls of
the castle and fortifications were crumbling away from the effect of our
shot.

Night coming on put an end to the attack, and we retired out of range of
the enemy's guns. But our admiral had no intention of desisting.

All night long we remained at our quarters, thinking it possible that
the enemy might venture to board us in their boats during the darkness.
More than once an alarm was raised and the men flew to their guns, but
the night passed off tranquilly; the Cavaliers had no stomach for such
an enterprise. Morning broke at last. The castle walls, wearing a
battered appearance, rose above the calm water shining in the rays of
the rising sun; the air was soft and balmy, a thin haze softening the
more rugged features of nature.

Prayers being offered up, and breakfast over, we stood in to our former
position to recommence our work of the previous day.

Forthwith the guns on both sides began blazing away. "Hurrah!" cried
Lancelot, "we shall soon bring matters to a conclusion. Look there!"
Turning my eyes in the direction he pointed, I saw that our fire
concentrated on one side of the fortress was producing a considerable
effect. Huge pieces of masonry, earth, and stones came toppling over
and slipping into the ditch, and ere long we perc