I guessed, however, what it was, namely, that one of the Russian cruisers was burning an unfortunate coasting vessel.

On looking more closely from the mast-head of the flag-ship, I saw the masts and two funnels of a steamer very near to the burning ship.

The cruiser was somewhat in shore of the place where I was lying.

He seems to have made my squadron out about the same time I had seen him, and at once made tracks, as the Americans say, to get out to sea.

In doing so he had to near us considerably, so much so that before steam was ready in the flag-ship I could pretty well discern what the enemy was.