amining his shoulder, from which the blood was flowing.

"Yes, I fancy I was hit," answered Vernon, though I have not had time
yet to think about it.

"The sooner you're under the doctor's care the better," said Nettleship,
as he got the boat round. "Now give way, lads."

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.

The Spanish crew understood his gestures more than his words, and with
might and main pulled back to the flag-ship. As we went on, the shot
fell like hail around us, but providentially none of us were hit. On
getting to the opposite side of the ship, the admiral and Vernon were
lifted on board. The rest of us quickly followed. Vernon was at once
carried below to be placed under the care of the surgeon; while, without
waiting to change our wet clothes, we hurried to the guns, to encourage
the Spanish crew, some of whom appeared to think they had had enough of
it. Don Barcelo, however, retired to his cabin, and, having changed his
uniform, shortly afterwards reappeared. He showed no wish, however, to
make another attempt to land, but sent off despatches by an officer to
the commander of the land forces. What were their contents did not at
the time transpire. He continued, however, pacing the deck, watching,
as far as the smoke would allow, the other ships, and the forts opposed
to us.

"I very much doubt whether we shall thrash the Algerines after all,"
said Nettleship to me. "The villains fight desperately, and I can't see
that we have made a single breach in any part of the walls. See! two
more of our galleys have sunk; and I have seen half-a-dozen gun or
mortar boats go down. Several of the ships and frigates are already
tremendously cut about. The old Don is a plucky fellow, or he wouldn't
keep at it so long."

While he was speaking the admiral came up, pointing first towards a
sinking vessel, and then at one of the boats alongside.

"Just ask him, Paddy, if he doesn't want me to go and rescue the
fellows," said Nettleship. I addressed the admiral in French, which he
understood tolerably well.

"Yes, I shall be obliged to him if he will. My officers and men are
required to fight the ship," answered the admiral.

"They don't exactly like the sort of work," observed Nettleship; "but
I'll go willingly."

"And I will go with you," I said.

We ran down and got into the boat, followed by Larry and Patchett, the
rest of our crew being made up of Spaniards, who were ordered by their