crashing about
us burning fragments of timbers and planks and spars and sails, and,
horror of horrors! pieces of what an instant before had been human
forms, breathing with life and strength. The oars were knocked from the
men's hands--dashed to atoms. Several of the men were struck down,
shrieking with agony from the dreadful wounds the heavy pieces of
burning wood and the hot iron inflicted; the very air was darkened for
some moments,--and it seemed that the horrible shower would never cease.
Even the enemy were awe-struck at the catastrophe, and ceased firing,
as did the sloop-of-war. Our boats' crews took the opportunity to get
out the spare oars, and to pull out to sea. As they did so they rose up
and gave the enemy three cheers, which, as may be supposed, drew down on
them hot fire in return. An important service had been accomplished in
the destruction of the powder, but I was in no mood for cheering. Five
boats had gone in, four only were coming out. The fifth floated,
shattered and blackened, over the scene of destruction, but no one was
in her. She was the boat commanded by Mercer. He and all his crew had
been; swept to destruction. His anticipations of coming evil had indeed
been speedily verified. Two short hours ago he and I were sitting side
by side away from the crowded deck, talking of matters of deep
importance, to fathom which I felt was far beyond my comprehension.
Now, though scarce a remnant of his blackened form could be discovered,
he, I trusted, was on his way to those realms inhabited by beings of
bright intelligence, to whom all such mysteries are clear as noon-day.
He died in full assurance of salvation through a merciful Saviour; his
last act one of charity, of the noblest self-devotion.

"Which, then, is the happiest?"

"Not I, not I."

I bent my head and thought of what I was, of what I might become, unless
protected by the loving mercy of a higher power than that of man's
feeble will.

The next day we parted company from the Kingfisher, and went in quest of
the Daphne, which joined us that evening, having missed the vessel of
which she had gone in chase.

On the 20th we captured a small schooner from Philadelphia, bound to the
West Indies, with flour and Indian corn, and, having taken out the crew:
and the flour, we set her on fire, to the no small grief of her master
and owner, who stood looking at her as we left her blazing away and
lighting up the darkness of a Novembe