een able to devise a really practicable and promising scheme.

The least unpromising idea of them all, was that suggested by Lieutenant
Carre Tupper, of the flag-ship; which was, that he should endeavour to
_effect_ a landing inside the chain of defences, and, penetrating into
the town, gain all the information he could; and trust to his good
fortune for the means of getting off to the ship again. This plan
seemed all the more feasible, from the fact that he spoke the French
language with the ease and fluency of a Parisian.

After much consideration, therefore, the admiral accepted this gallant
young officer's offer, and gave his consent to the experiment.

A disguise was accordingly prepared under Lieutenant Tupper's own
supervision; and on the first favourable night the experiment was tried.

It was perfectly calm, with an overcast sky and no moon, when he stood,
dressed in his disguise, in the gangway of the "Victory," receiving from
the admiral his last instructions; and many a hearty hand-shake, and
many a fervent "Success attend you, my dear fellow," did he receive
before passing down the lofty side of the 100-gun ship, into the pinnace
which, with muffled oars and a crew armed to the teeth, awaited him at
the foot of the side-ladder.

At last the final parting was spoken, the final shake of the hand given,
and with a gay laugh, in response to the half-serious, half-jocose
warnings to take care of himself which followed him, he sprang lightly
down the side, took his seat in the stern-sheets, and gave the order to
shove off.

He had most carefully reconnoitred the place beforehand, both from the
topgallant-yard of the "Victory," and from the deck of the little
"Mouette;" so that he knew exactly for what point to steer; and there
was no hesitation whatever upon that score.

All went well with the little expedition until the boat arrived within
half a mile of Bastia, when a little breeze sprang up; the canopy of
cloud which had overspread the heavens cleared away as if by magic, and
the stars shone out brilliantly, flooding earth and sea with a light
which, though subdued, was sufficient to reveal to the sharp-eyed French
sentinels the small dark object which was silently stealing toward the
shore.

The alarm was immediately given; but instead of opening upon the boat
with their heavy guns, at the risk of missing their object, and driving
off their prey, the French allowed the boat still to approach, and,
m