THE ALMA Desperately the men bent to their oars, and the heavy boat surged through the water.

Around them swept a storm of musket balls, and although the darkness and their haste rendered the fire of the Russians wild and uncertain, many of the shot took effect.

With a sigh, Mr.Pascoe fell against Jack, who was sitting next to him, just at the moment when Jack himself experienced a sensation as if a hot iron had passed across his arm.

Several of the men dropped their oars and fell back, but the boats still held rapidly on their way, and in two or three minutes were safe from anything but random shot.

At this moment, however, three field pieces opened with grape, and the iron hail tore up the water near them.