e waited he wondered what would be the effect of the explosion,
and whether it would do more harm than blow off the hatch. He hoped
not, for Sir Henry's sake; and there were moments during that terribly
lengthy time of watching when he hoped that after all the plan had
failed, for it seemed too terrible, and he would gladly have run forward
and dashed the light aside.

They were lightning like, these thoughts, for it really was but a
question of very few moments before there was a flash, a hissing noise,
a bright light, and then it was as though they had all been struck a
violent blow with something exceedingly soft and elastic, and at the
same moment there was a dull heavy roar.

Simultaneously the lower deck was filled with the foul dank choking
fumes of exploded gunpowder, the thick smoke was blinding, and the men
crouched in their places for the moment forgetful of their orders till
they heard the voice of Hilary Leigh shouting to them to come on, and
they leaped to their feet and followed.

It was a case of blindman's-buff; but the quarters below were narrow,
and after a little blundering the two men who had charge of the ladder
forced aside some of the heap of chests, hammocks and planks, placed the
steps in position, and, sword in one hand, pistol in the other, the
young officer sprang up. The gunner followed, and in less than a minute
the whole crew were over the shattered coamings of the hatchway and on
deck, ready to encounter the enemy.

The change from the stifling fumes below to the soft night-air was
delightful, and the men leaped along the deck after their young leader,
their cutlasses flashing in the faint light cast by the lanterns swung
aloft and astern; but no enemy was to be seen.

They dashed aft right to the taffrail, and back along the starboard
side, and away to the bowsprit; but the deck was without an enemy.

"Why, they're gone!" cried Hilary, in astonishment, as he now realised
the meaning of the silence over his head when he was awaiting the
explosion. "Here, hi! Waters, Brown, what does this mean? Quick! go
to the helm, Brown!" he shouted; "we're going through the water at an
awful pace. Quick! quick! down--down hard!" he roared. But it was too
late; the wheel was lashed, and before the slightest effort could be
made to check the cutter's way, she glided, with heavy sail set, over
half a dozen long rollers, and then seemed to leap upon the beach, which
she struck with so heavy a