g the
boats; and at the same moment a warm fire of musketry was opened on them
from the decks of the vessels, proving that there must be a considerable
number of men among them, and that some were well armed.

To silence the fort, the marines were ordered to land; and while they
gallantly rushed up the heights to storm it, the bluejackets pulled on
towards the next vessel. As they got alongside, she seemed like a
man-of-war or a privateer; but there was no time for deliberation. Up
her sides they were bound to go. As Sir Henry and his boat's crew made
the attempt, they were received with boarding-pikes and pistol-shots in
their faces. The bow-gun in the boat was in return pointed up and
loaded to the muzzle with musket balls and all sorts of langrage. It
cleared a space on the deck, and before it was again occupied the
English had possession of it.

Two vessels were thus taken, both armed; but the strength of the
cutting-out party was gradually decreasing, while the number of the
enemy appeared as large as ever.

The cable of the vessel, a schooner, was cut; and the night wind blowing
off shore, headsail was got on her, and she stood out after the first
captured. The boats pulled on to attack a third vessel, while the fire
of the marines as they stormed the fort, smartly returned by its
defenders, lighted up the ground above them.

The next vessel was also a schooner. She looked long but low, and it
seemed as if there would be but little difficulty in boarding her; but
it was found as they got up to her that stout boarding nettings were
triced up all round, though no one was to be seen on her decks.

Sir Henry Elmore's division was the first which reached, her, and True
Blue was the first man up her side, the young lieutenant being close
behind him. True Blue was hacking away at the netting, as were the
other boarders, several of whom had leaped down on deck, when True Blue
sprang through the opening he had made, and, grasping Sir Henry,
literally forced him back into the boat. Before a word could be spoken
there was a loud roar, the deck of the vessel lifted, fierce flames
burst out from her sides, and all on board were blown into the air.
True Blue's quick eye had detected the first glare of the flame as it
appeared through the hatchway, and instantly he sprang back, or he would
have been too late. As it was, he was very much scorched, as was Sir
Henry in a less degree, though somewhat hurt by his fall.