on the upper
works of the Lighthouse. Her shot struck with the most fatal accuracy,
crumbling the tower of the Lighthouse to ruins, and bringing down gun
after gun from the batteries. The last of these guns was dismounted
just as the artillerymen were in the act of discharging it; when an
Algerine chief was seen to spring upon the ruins of the parapet, and
with impotent rage, to shake his scimitar against the ship. Her men
proved themselves as expert amidst the realities of war, as they had
before shown themselves in exercise; and some of them were detected
amusing themselves, in the wantonness of their skill, by firing at the
Algerine flag-staffs.

Soon after the battle began, the enemy's flotilla of gun-boats advanced,
with a daring which deserved a better fate, to board the _Queen
Charlotte_ and _Leander_. The smoke covered them at first, but as soon
as they were seen, a few guns, chiefly from the _Leander_, sent
thirty-three out of thirty-seven to the bottom.

At four o'clock, when a general and heavy fire had been maintained for
more than an hour without producing any appearance of submission, Lord
Exmouth determined to destroy the Algerine ships. Accordingly, the
_Leander_ having first been ordered to cease firing, the flag-ship's
barge, directed by Lieutenant Peter Richards, with Major Gossett, of the
Miners, Lieutenant Wolrige, of the Marines, and Mr. M'Clintock, a
midshipman, boarded the nearest frigate, and fired her so effectually
with the laboratory torches, and a carcass-shell placed on the main
deck, that she was completely in flames almost before the barge's crew
were over her side. The crew of a rocket-boat belonging to the _Hebrus_
were prompted by a natural, but unfortunate ardour, to follow the barge,
though forbidden; but the boat pulling heavily, she became exposed to a
fire of musketry, which killed an officer and three men, and wounded
several others. Lord Exmouth stood watching the barge from the gangway,
delighted with the gallantry and promptitude with which his orders were
executed. When the frigate burst into a flame, he telegraphed to the
fleet the animating signal, "Infallible!" and as the barge was
returning, he ordered those around him to welcome her alongside with
three cheers.

It was hoped that the flames would communicate from this frigate to the
rest of the Algerine shipping; but she burnt from her moorings, and
passing clear of her consorts, drifted along the broadsides of the
_