was heard inshore. The _Tornado_, in company with another steamer,
stood on in the direction from whence the sounds proceeded; in a short
time a rapid firing of musketry was heard.

"One of our cruisers is being engaged with the enemy," observed Higson.

"I suspect so," said Jack; "but I very much fear that she must be on
shore. At all events, we must stand in and drive away the enemy, while
we try to get her off."

Jack hailed his consort, and, putting on all steam, the two vessels
stood towards the land. Just then the firing ceased, and directly
afterwards, the fog lifting, Cape Fortan, a headland about four miles to
the south of Odessa, appeared in sight. Every glass on board was turned
in the direction of the land.

"There is a vessel on shore close to the cape," observed Higson.

"She must, I fear, be the _Tiger_" said Jack; "we may still be in time
to help her. Perhaps she has driven off the Russians."

"I am afraid not," said Higson, "for I can make out several boats
surrounding her. I fear that Captain Giffard has been compelled to
strike his flag, and that the Russians are removing the prisoners."

"He would not have done that as long as he had the slightest hope of
saving his ship," said Jack; "still we may be in time to prevent her
from falling into the enemy's hands."

While all on board were watching the ship on shore, flames were seen to
burst out from her fore and aft.

"She's done for; and all her crew, I fear, will be made prisoners," said
Jack.

Deep sympathy was felt on board for the unfortunate ship's company, and
vexation that so fine a vessel should be lost. Little hope remained of
their being able to extinguish the flames. Still Jack determined to try
what could be done. In a few minutes, however, the matter was set at
rest--the fire increased, the masts and spars of the doomed ship were
enveloped in flames; and then there came a thundering report, her deck
lifted, the masts shot upwards, and an instant afterwards, as they came
down hissing into the water, a few blackened timbers alone remained of
the stout ship which had lately floated buoyantly on the ocean with her
gallant crew.

Jack and his consort opened their fire on the Russian troops, who still
remained in sight; but they, knowing that their field-pieces could
produce no effect upon the ships, quickly retired out of harm's way, and
the steamers again stood off the shore.

It was not till some time afterwards, on the