shing of the enemy's shot as they
tore the stout planks asunder; the roar of the seas as they dashed
against the sides, and the cries of the wounded, while the shouts of the
men, who, as the fight grew more bloody, were more and more excited,
became louder and louder; bright flashes, and wreaths of dark smoke, and
splinters flying about, and men falling, and blood starting from their
wounds, made up that horrid picture. Paul had seen old Noakes carried
below; O'Grady followed, badly hurt; others of his masters were killed
or wounded. Devereux seemed to bear a charmed life. No! no man's life
is charmed. One moment he was standing full of life, encouraging his
men; the next he lay wounded and bleeding on the wet and slippery deck.
As he saw the handsome youth carried writhing in agony below, Paul's
feelings of animosity instantly vanished. He would have sprung forward
to help him, but he had his own duty to attend to, and he knew that he
must not neglect it, even though it was only to sit on a tub.

From the exclamations of the men, Paul thought that the battle was going
against them; still the crew fought on as bravely as at first. "Fire!
fire!" What dreadful cry is that? "The ship is on fire!"

"All is lost!" No; the firemen leave their guns and run forward to
where some hay is blazing. The enemy have discovered what has occurred
and redouble their efforts. The fire must be got under in spite of shot
and bullets. The men rush up to the flames fearlessly. Buckets upon
buckets of water are thrown on them; the burning fragments of timber are
hove overboard. The fire is reported to be got under. The British
seamen cheer, and good reason have they to do so now, for flames are
seen bursting from the ports and hatchways of their most determined
opponent. Still all three ships tear on over the foaming ocean. Thus
closes that fearful night, and so must we our first chapter.

CHAPTER TWO.

The _Cerberus_, stout frigate that she was, plunged onward across the
foam-covered ocean. On one side was the burning ship, at which not a
shot had been fired since her condition was discovered; on the other was
a still active enemy. With the latter, broadside after broadside was
rapidly exchanged, but without much damage being sustained. From the
burning ship a few shots continued for a short time to be fired, but as
the fire increased, the crew must have deserted their guns, and as the
flames gained the mastery, the