be on the alert, there was
a great probability of their discovering the character of the stranger.
A few shot might, however, quickly send them to the bottom, in case they
should attempt to stop her. The crew were ordered to be in readiness to
spring on deck at a moment's notice, and every man below hoped that that
notice would be given. On stood the _Tornado_, no sign being given on
board the brigs that her character was suspected. Jack and his
officers, as the steamer ran in, had time to count the guns which
frowned down upon them from the four forts on either side of the
harbour, each with three tiers of batteries; and, what was of more
importance still, to make out the number of ships in the harbour.

"I can see three three-deckers and several two-deckers," said Jack.

"There are at least four frigates," added Higson, "and fully half a
dozen smaller craft; and see, over the point, those mastheads; there are
four of them, and evidently ships of the line. That makes not much
fewer than our fleet; if they've any pluck in them, they'll come out and
fight us; and our admirals are the men to give them every chance of
doing so."

The _Tornado_ had now got as far up the harbour as Jack considered
prudent, and she was gradually brought round as if about to come to an
anchor, with her head turned towards the harbour's mouth. It had
required no small amount of resolution to bring her into that position;
at any moment twelve hundred pieces of artillery in those frowning forts
above their heads might open their fire, and send their shot, which,
plunging down upon the ship's deck, would turn her into a sieve in a few
seconds. Jack and his officers were equal to the occasion. He and
Higson calmly lighted their cigars, and, as they walked backwards and
forwards on deck, puffed away with might and main; both of them,
however, keeping an eye on the forts, waiting for the moment when they
might open fire. The ship, having been brought round, glided slowly on
for some distance; then Jack gave the order to turn ahead at full speed,
and out she shot between the two brigs, their crews even then wondering
what had induced her so suddenly to take her departure. Not till she
was well outside them did they begin to suspect the character of the
stranger which had paid them a visit that morning, when their
signal-flags were seen run up to the mastheads, answered by two or three
of the outermost frigates.

Just then a schooner was s