ning, the two ships had run to a sufficient
distance not to be seen from the shore.

As soon as it was dark, they once more beat up towards the bay. Every
preparation was made for the intended cutting-out expedition. There
were six boats, all of which were placed under the command of the first
lieutenant of the frigate, and Sir Henry Elmore went as second in
command, with True Blue as his coxswain.

The ships hove to, and the boats shoved off about midnight. In two of
them the marines of the frigate, with their officer, were embarked, to
act on shore if necessary. The plan was, that they were together to
board each vessel in succession, beginning at the largest. With muffled
oars and in dead silence away they pulled. The night was dark; but the
phosphoric sparkle of the water as the boats clove their way through it,
and the oars lifted it in their upward stroke, might have betrayed them
as they drew near, had the Spaniards been vigilant.

The frigate's boats, it was settled, should board aft, while the
corvette's boarded forward of each vessel.

The outline of the hills rose in a clear line ahead, while the fort
appeared directly above their heads, looking down on the anchorage,
where the vessels lay clustered together. Not a light appeared; there
was not a movement of any sort: the Dons were evidently fast asleep.

They were close alongside one of the largest ships--a heavy merchantman,
she seemed--when the loud barking of a dog was heard. Still no one was
aroused. It increased in fury as they approached. At last one of the
watch must have seen the strange boats, for he shouted to his shipmates.
They did not understand their danger till the British seamen were
climbing up the ship's sides. The deck was won, and every Spaniard who
came up from below was unceremoniously knocked down again. The prize
was armed and the crew were numerous; so, as soon as they were secured
below hatches, a mate with a boat's crew was ordered to cut the cable,
make sail, and carry her out to the ships outside.

This first victory had been bloodless and easy; but now all the crews of
the vessels were on the alert, as were the garrison of the fort, though
in the darkness they were unable to ascertain in which direction to
point their guns. However, they soon opened their fire on the outer
ship, when she began to move; but their range was not correct, and their
shot fell among friends and foes alike. The shot fell rapidly amon