sked Rayner. "She's very likely to be
cruising hereabouts."

Mr Lascelles took another look at her through his glass.

"I think not," he answered. "The chase must have seen her, and must
know her to be a friend, or she would not keep on as she is at present
standing."

The two officers descended to make their report.

The _Lily_ was a fast craft, and now rapidly gained on the chase, which,
as she drew within range, fired a couple of shot.

Captain Saltwell ordered the two foremost guns to be fired in return.
The second lieutenant took charge of one and Rayner of the other. Both,
looking along the sights, gave them the proper elevation, and fired at
the same moment. The effect of the shot was beyond all expectation.
Down came the foreyard, shot away in the slings, causing, it was very
evident, considerable confusion on board.

"Bravo, Rayner! you did it!" cried Mr Lascelles. "My shot went through
the mainsail."

The enemy now opened fire from a broadside of ten guns, but not a shot
damaged the _Lily_, which, ranging up on the weather side of her
opponent, began blazing away as fast as the crews could run in and load
their guns.

The stranger was a large flush-decked vessel, crowded with men, many of
whom, stripped to the waist, were working away desperately at their
guns, while others opened a heavy fire of musketry.

As Rayner, who had charge of the foremost guns, was watching her, he
caught sight of a young man in the uniform of a midshipman, who sprang
suddenly up through the companion-hatch, and, making his way aft, seemed
to be addressing the captain with energetic action. Rayner got but a
glimpse of him, for the next moment there came a fearful roaring sound.
The deck of the enemy's ship rose in the air, rent into a thousand
fragments. Her masts and yards and sails shot upwards, and her dark
hull seemed suddenly to melt away.

The _Lily_ reeled with the shock, and the crew, astounded by the awful
catastrophe, for a moment forgot their discipline. Several of the men
were knocked down; indeed, it seemed surprising that any should have
escaped. Rayner remained at his station, and although several pieces of
burning plank fell close to him, he was uninjured.

The voice of the commander was soon heard recalling the men to their
duty, and ordering them to fill the buckets with water, to prevent the
blazing fragments which strewed the deck from setting the ship on fire.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.