At the same moment a volley of musketry was poured in from the other side, and three or four men fell.
"Form up, form up," Hawtry shouted.

"Well together, lads.

We must make a rush at those beggars ahead.

Don't fire till I tell you, then give them a volley and go at them with the butt-end of your muskets, then let every one who gets through make a bolt for it." The sailors, some twenty strong, threw themselves together, and, headed by the midshipmen, made a rush at the Russians.

These opened fire upon them, and several dropped, but the remainder went on at the double until within twenty yards of the enemy, when pouring in a volley and clubbing their muskets, they rushed upon them.
For a moment there was a sharp _melee_; several of the sailors were shot or bayoneted, but the rest, using the butt-ends of their muskets with tremendous execution, fought their way through their opponents.
Jack had shot down two men with his revolver, and having got through, was taking his place at the rear of the men--the proper place for an officer in retreat ?--when he saw Hawtry fall.