oard men at quarters continued the fire from the
main deck. The enemy continued to return the fire from four guns, two
on each of her decks, which she could still make bear upon the _Aurora_;
but after some time even these ceased, either from the men having
deserted them, or from their being dismounted. Observing that the fire
from her antagonist had ceased, the _Aurora_ also discontinued, and the
jolly-boat astern being still uninjured, the second lieutenant was
deputed to pull alongside of the frigate to ascertain if she had struck.

The beams of the bright moon silvered the rippling water as the boat
shoved off; and Captain Wilson and his officers who were still unhurt,
leant over the shattered sides of the _Aurora_, waiting for a reply:
suddenly the silence of the night was broken upon by a loud splash from
the bows of the Russian frigate, then about three cables' length
distant.

"What could that be?" cried Captain Wilson. "Her anchor's down. Mr
Jones, a lead over the side, and see what water we have."

Mr Jones had long been carried down below, severed in two with a round
shot--but a man leaped into the chains, and lowering down the lead,
sounded in seven fathoms.

"Then I suspect he will give us more trouble yet," observed Captain
Wilson; and so indeed it proved, for the Russian captain, in reply to
the second lieutenant, had told him in English, "that he would answer
that question with his broadside," and before the boat was dropped
astern, he had warped round with the springs on his cable, and had
recommenced his fire upon the _Aurora_.

Captain Wilson made sail upon his ship, and sailed round and round the
anchored vessel, so as to give her two broadsides to her one, and from
the slowness with which she worked at her springs upon her cables, it
was evident that she must be now very weak-handed. Still the
pertinacity and decided courage of the Russian captain convinced Captain
Wilson that, in all probability, he would sink at his anchor before he
would haul down his colours; and not only would he lose more of the
_Aurora's_ men, but also the Russian vessel, without he took a more
decided step. Captain Wilson, therefore, resolved to try her by the
board. Having poured in a raking fire, he stood off for a few moments,
during which he called the officers and men on deck, and stated his
intention. He then went about, and himself conning the _Aurora_, ran
her on board the Russian, pouring in his reserve