"Never mind ceremony now; go on firing." "Yes, sir; but Tom Jecks says, sir, would you like six on us to land and have a go at the beggars ?" "No," I cried.

"Keep together; we may be afloat at any moment." "Right, sir; on'y we're all willing, if you give the word." "I know that," I cried.

"But be careful, my lads.

It's a terrible position, with our chief officer down like this." "So it is, sir," said the man, taking careful aim at a part of the bank where he thought that he saw a movement.

Then, almost simultaneously, there was a flash from the place, and another from his rifle muzzle.
"Either on us hit ?" he said coolly, as I clapped my hand to my ear, which felt as if a jet of cold air had touched it.