d making fast a tow-rope, ordered the men to give way. The
spring on the frigate's cable was manned, and her broadside was turned
away from the approaching fire-ships. Scarcely had Jack got hold of his
prize than the flames burst forth from her, and he and the crew were
covered with sparks and burning fragments of wood, which several times
nearly set their clothes on fire and singed them not a little.
Fortunately the rockets and other fireworks on board took an upward
flight, but they soon found themselves pulling under a complete cascade
of fire. Jack cheered them on: "Never mind, my lads," he shouted; "it's
better than having the old frigate burnt, at all events."

He could scarcely bear the heat of the fire; still he persevered. At
last he got his unpleasant captive just clear astern of the frigate, and
a little way to leeward. Still a shift of wind might send her back, so
he was towing her a little farther, when, with a loud roar, some
magazine, which had been hitherto preserved at the bottom of the ship,
exploded, sending every particle of her which remained high into the
air, and as the wreck came down, the fragments very nearly swamped the
boat and killed all in her. No one was hurt, however, and he and his
brave crew instantly pulled back to grapple with another foe. All the
other fire-ships had been seized hold of and were very nearly towed
clear of the frigate.

Jack heard Murray's voice calling to him. Alick was fast to one which
seemed heavier than the rest, and he had great difficulty, apparently,
in moving her. Had not Jack gone to his assistance, in a few seconds
she would have been alongside the frigate. When just under her stern,
she broke out into the fiercest flames, and Jack, whose clothes were by
this time very nearly done brown, was glad enough to cast loose from
her. In another moment she blew up with a violent explosion, and as
before, fragments of the burning wreck came flaming down into and around
the boats, while the other fire-ships were still burning away brightly
to leeward. Once more the boats were hoisted up, and the frigate was
made ready to get under weigh the instant daylight would allow her to be
carried free of the reefs. Just as one of the quarter boats was being
secured, a splash was heard, and instantly the cry was raised of "A man
overboard!"

Jack Rogers, who was on the quarter-deck, without stopping to ask who it
was, kicked off his shoes, and threw off his jacke