the Serapis and the Richard, the Pallas and the Scarborough
were as two pages to two knights. In their immature way they showed the
same traits as their fully developed superiors.

The Man-in-the-Moon now raised himself still higher to obtain a better
view of affairs.

But the Man-in-the-Moon was not the only spectator. From the high cliffs
of the shore, and especially from the great promontory of Flamborough
Head, the scene was witnessed by crowds of the islanders. Any rustic
might be pardoned his curiosity in view of the spectacle, presented. Far
in the indistinct distance fleets of frightened merchantmen filled the
lower air with their sails, as flakes of snow in a snow-storm by night.
Hovering undeterminedly, in another direction, were several of the
scattered consorts of Paul, taking no part in the fray. Nearer, was an
isolated mist, investing the Pallas and Scarborough--a mist slowly
adrift on the sea, like a floating isle, and at intervals irradiated
with sparkles of fire and resonant with the boom of cannon. Further
away, in the deeper water, was a lurid cloud, incessantly torn in shreds
of lightning, then fusing together again, once more to be rent. As yet
this lurid cloud was neither stationary nor slowly adrift, like the
first-mentioned one; but, instinct with chaotic vitality, shifted hither
and thither, foaming with fire, like a valiant water-spout careering off
the coast of Malabar.

To get some idea of the events enacting in that cloud, it will be
necessary to enter it; to go and possess it, as a ghost may rush into a
body, or the devils into the swine, which running down the steep place
perished in the sea; just as the Richard is yet to do.

Thus far the Serapis and the Richard had been manoeuvring and chasing
to each other like partners in a cotillion, all the time indulging in
rapid repartee.

But finding at last that the superior managableness of the enemy's ship
enabled him to get the better of the clumsy old Indiaman, the Richard,
in taking position, Paul, with his wonted resolution, at once sought to
neutralize this, by hugging him close. But the attempt to lay the
Richard right across the head of the Serapis ended quite otherwise, in
sending the enemy's jib-boom just over the Richard's great tower of
Pisa, where Israel was stationed; who, catching it eagerly, stood for an
instant holding to the slack of the sail, like one grasping a horse by
the mane prior to vaulting into the saddle.

"Ay