harbour, in which lay the
Russian fleet itself. In every direction men could be seen
strengthening the works and erecting new ones. The town was surrounded
by a wall fifteen feet in height, and loopholed for musketry, with a
ditch in front. So narrow was the entrance that two line-of-battle
ships could barely sail in abreast.

Having delayed as long as he could, Captain Drummond sent a boat with an
officer to convey the despatches to the governor, who at first expressed
himself very much astonished at the appearance of an English ship at
such a juncture. Being assured, however, that the frigate had come to
perform an act of courtesy, he was satisfied, and, salutes having been
exchanged, the _Retribution_ lifted her anchor and steamed again out of
the harbour, with the important knowledge which had been obtained, and
which was quickly conveyed to Admiral Dundas. Captain Drummond was of
opinion that the place was entirely unassailable by ships alone, but
that it might easily be blockaded and harassed by shells thrown into it
at night, though he was convinced that should a ship enter the harbour
in order to destroy the Russian fleet lying there, it must be
annihilated before it could get out again. He advised, therefore, that
Sebastopol should be attacked by a combined naval and military force;
and, as far as could be learned, the authorities had determined on this
mode of proceeding.

Jack, having left Murray time to read his despatches, rejoined him, and
heard more of what had taken place. "The army have suffered
dreadfully," said Murray, as Jack was seated in his cabin; "not from the
enemy, but from cholera and fever. It has also appeared on board the
fleet, and nearly every ship has lost a good many men. Upwards of fifty
have died on board the flagship, and we have had thirty or forty on the
sick list at a time, many of whom have succumbed to the disease. The
steamers have, I hope, a better chance of escaping, but it has not left
them entirely alone."

"Well, I trust we shall keep free," said Jack. "The best thing we can
hope for is that the commander-in-chief will give us something to do
before long."

After describing the halt of the British forces at Scutari, and various
incidents which had occurred, Murray went on with an account of what had
since taken place: "After remaining for some time at Scutari, the
greater part of the English force was moved on to the neighbourhood of
Varna, where they have