as we were supposed to be in
the first watch, we took the opportunity, accompanied by Tubbs, of again
slipping down below. Scarcely had we stowed ourselves away out of
sight, than the mate came down and looked into the captain's cabin. As
not a word was spoken by either, we concluded that he had not discovered
the state of things; for, locking the door and taking away the key, he
returned to his own cabin, which was further forward on the opposite
side. Altogether, as must be seen, affairs were in a curious state on
board that ship. I at length dropped off to sleep. How long it was
after I closed my eyes I know not, when I heard a sound like that of a
cable running out Tubbs started up at the same moment. "Why, we have
just come to an anchor," he exclaimed. "We must have been closer in
with the land than we supposed."

Harry being awakened, we both stole quietly on deck. The crew had
furled sails, the night was perfectly calm, the stars shone brightly
overhead. Looking over the larboard side, we saw the shore, a high land
with a point running from it, off which we lay. By the ripple of the
water against the bows, I knew that a strong current was running, which
accounted for the ship having been brought up. Looking forward, I saw
that a bright light was burning at the bowsprit end, and presently it
was answered by a rocket fired from the shore, which rose high in the
air, scattering its drops as it fell. Exclamations of satisfaction
escaped the mate and several of the crew who were on deck.

"Lower the starboard quarter-boat," shouted the mate.

"She's well-nigh knocked to pieces, and can't swim," was the answer.

"Lower the larboard boat."

This was done, and several of the crew jumped into her, but most of them
as quickly hauled themselves on board again. She sank beneath their
feet, as she too had been injured by the frigate's shot. The boat
getting adrift, one of the men, before he could spring up the side, was
drifted away in her, the current of which I have spoken carrying him
rapidly astern. The longboat amidships was in a worse condition, being
riddled with shot.

"I hope that the people on shore will send off to us," observed the
mate; "it's very certain we cannot get to them until the boats are
repaired."

"They'll not do that in a hurry; for, as it happens, the carpenter and
his crew are all killed, and there is not a man on board able to do the
work," I heard Tubbs observe.

In the me