hese boats, no sails, no oars. They were "steam
launches," and were destined for a night attack on the flotilla which I
had just passed. Their crews were covered nearly from stem to stern by
iron bullet-proof awnings, which, as well as the boats, were painted
black. The engines were so constructed as to make the least possible
amount of noise, and when speed was reduced no sound was heard save a
dull throbbing that was almost drowned by the croaking frogs.

It was a little after midnight when these boats set out--two being meant
to attack, and two to remain in support. They had seven miles of river
to traverse before reaching the enemy, and it was while they were in the
midst of their voyage that I chanced to meet them, clinging to my
hen-coop. They came so straight at me that I was on the point of being
run down by the leading boat, when I gave a sharp "halloo!"

It was replied to by one that indicated surprise, and was decidedly
English in tone. Next moment the launch scraped violently against my
raft, and I saw a hand extended. Grasping it, I was drawn quickly into
the boat. Another hand instantly covered my mouth, and I was thrust
down into the bottom of the boat with considerable violence. Being
allowed to raise myself a little, the chink of a dark lantern was
opened, and the light streamed full upon me. It at the same time
lighted up several faces, the inquiring eyes of which gazed at me
intently. A stern voice demanded who I was.

Just then a gleam of light fell on a countenance which gazed at me with
open-mouthed and open-eyed amazement. It was that of Nicholas
Naranovitsch! I was just going to answer, when the sight of him struck
me dumb.

Nicholas touched the officer who had questioned me on the shoulder, and
whispered in his ear. He at once closed the lantern, leaving us all in
total darkness, while Nicholas caught me by the arm, and, making me sit
down on a box of some kind beside him, gave vent to his surprise in
hurried, broken whispers.

A short time sufficed to explain how it was that I came to be there.
Then he began to tell me about his being sent on a secret expedition,
and his having obtained leave to join in this midnight attack by
torpedo-boats, when a low stern order to be silent compelled him to
stop.

From that moment he and I remained perfectly quiet and observant.

After an hour's steaming the Russian launches came to the immediate
neighbourhood of the enemy's flotilla, a