An instant later the two ships scraped together, and the starboard bower anchor of the _Gloire_ caught the mizzen-chains of the _Leda_ upon the port side.

With a yell the black swarm of boarders steadied themselves for a spring.
But their feet were never to reach that blood-stained deck.

From some where there came a well-aimed whiff of grape, and another, and another.
The English marines and seamen, waiting with cutlass and musket behind the silent guns, saw with amazement the dark masses thinning and shredding away.

At the same time the port broadside of the Frenchman burst into a roar.
"Clear away the wreck!" roared the captain.

"What the devil are they firing at ?" "Get the guns clear!" panted the lieutenant.