d be ruin. A firm hand and a brave heart were
required to do that apparently simple act--to withdraw the taper from
the cask. It must be done at that moment! He heard Sir Henry calling
him to take the helm. Planting his feet one on each side of the cask,
to steady himself, he stooped down, and, bringing his hands round the
taper, enclosed it tightly within them, withdrawing them quickly, and at
the same time pressing out every particle of fire. When it was done,
his heart beat more freely. He hurried round to ascertain that no
similar mine existed, ready to destroy them, and then, returning on
deck, went calmly to the helm.

The gallant marines had in the meantime bravely done the work on which
they had been sent, as was evident from the cessation of the fire from
the fort, and the cries of the Spaniards who had been driven out of it.
Having spiked the guns, they came down to the shore, when the boats went
in and re-embarked them.

A large merchant ship was brought off, and another schooner. The rest
of the vessels were either scuttled or had driven on shore. The latter
were set on fire, and the whole expedition then sailed away with their
well-won prizes.

"I called to you some time before you came to the helm. Where were you,
Freeborn?" said Sir Henry as the brig they had captured had got some way
out of the harbour.

True Blue only then told his superior officer of the providential escape
they had had.

"But we ought to have drowned the casks. Should any careless fellow be
prowling about with a light, we might all be blown up as it is."

"The people were too busy on deck, I know, Sir Henry," answered True
Blue. "I shut the door, and think there is no risk."

Sir Henry, however, did not feel comfortable till he had taken
precautions against the risk they were running. Sending Tom Marline,
now a quartermaster, to the helm, he got a lantern, and he and True
Blue, going below, brought on deck all the casks of powder they could
find. True Blue then suggested that they might search further; and in
the hold of the vessel they discovered a considerable quantity more,
while the magazine, the door of which had been left open, was full.
Had, therefore, the first explosion merely set her on fire, the
remainder of the powder would have blown her and all on board to
fragments.

"Had you been an officer, Freeborn, you would have been able to have
command of the prize," observed Sir Henry. "I wish you were fr