This was his opinion, and he gave the highest credit to those who had performed such a service.

It was, altogether, a most skilful proceeding.

He was greatly surprised at the small number of men that was lost on board the fleet; and, on inquiring how it happened, he discovered that it was because the vessels were moored within one-third of the ordinary distance.

The guns of the fortress were intended to strike objects at a greater distance; and the consequence was, that the shot went over the ships that were anchored at one-third the usual distance.

By that means, they sustained not more than one-tenth of the loss which they would otherwise have experienced.