r places on board, forming altogether a pretty heavy cargo.

The raft was one of those built at Constantinople, and consisted of two
clumsy boats lashed together side by side and boarded over; very well
suited for smooth water, but extremely dangerous with a heavy sea
running. However, as it was important to get the guns on shore, Green
determined to make the attempt. Two of the artillery officers were
invited into the men-of-war's boats, and all being ready, they shoved
off, taking the huge raft in tow. By this time it was perfectly dark,
and the sea increasing made the operation of towing the raft very heavy
work.

"Give way, my lads," cried Green; "we haven't far to go; and see, we
shall have a warm welcome when we get there."

He pointed to the beach, which was lit up along its whole length by
fires which had been kindled with the planks of several disabled boats
and rafts.

The heavy swell tossed the raft about not a little, but the crews pulled
away lustily as British seamen always do, and the raft at length
approached the shore. The roar on the beach as the surf broke on it was
not encouraging; still, orders were to be obeyed. Just then a snorting
noise was heard, and a magnificent horse came swimming by, as he
splashed the water with his forefeet, surrounding himself with a blaze
of phosphorescent light. To catch him was impossible.

"He has probably escaped from a raft which has been capsized," observed
Green; "his chances of being drowned are considerable, though he may
have sense to swim back to the ship which brought him here."

"I hope that won't be the fate of our own raft," observed the artillery
officer.

"I can't warrant its safety," said Green; "had I been asked, I should
have advised waiting till the morning; however, we'll do our best, and
it will be a much harder matter to pull back than it has been to reach
the shore."

Just then the light of the fires falling on the raft, showed her to
those on the beach, from whence a loud authoritative voice came ordering
her to return to the ship.

"More easily said than done," observed Green.

However, he gave the order to Tom and the officer in command of the
other boat to pull round and do their best. Every instant the swell was
increasing; the boats' crews, though pretty well tired, pulled as
before. The raft tossed fearfully about, threatening to heave her whole
freight of guns, horses, and artillerymen overboard. The latter, with
the