the midst
of the fight."

"And if the fleets are engaged, I have got a cousin who is as dear to me
as a brother," observed Archie, "and I don't want any harm to happen to
him. You youngsters talk glibly of fighting; but let me hear what you
have to say about it when you have seen the thing in reality. It is a
necessary evil, but an evil notwithstanding."

The younger midshipmen laughed, and declared that it was just what they
had come to sea for. "So did we too," said Tom; "but only because it's
our duty to fight to protect our country--not that I can see that we
forward that object by coming out here to attack the Russians."

Soon afterwards, "Land! land!" was heard from the masthead, adding to
the excitement of all on board. At length the high cliffs of the
Chersonese appeared in sight; the thunder of the guns, as the ship
advanced, increasing in loudness. Now the fleet could be seen coming
forward from the roads off the Katcha River to the north; no sails were
set, as the ships had either their own steam-power, or were moved by
steamers lashed alongside.

"The French fleet are leading," observed Jack to Higson; "it is evident
then that their destined position is the southern end of the line, and
that our ships are to attack Fort Constantine and the other forts on the
north side of the harbour." Slowly the proud ships glided onwards, but
not a shot was fired from them; they were still out of range of the
forts. It was already near one o'clock in the afternoon. In the French
division thirteen ships could be counted, two of them carrying the
Turkish flag. Onward they glided in admirable order, still preserving
perfect silence.

"To my mind," observed Higson, "they would be likely to do much more
good if they were farther in, and my belief is that so they would be if
they had English captains to fight them."

"Probably the French admiral is afraid of getting his ships on shore
were he to stand in closer," observed Jack, who held the French in more
respect than did his first lieutenant. At length, as the French ships
came within range, the Russian forts opened their fire, but still no
reply was made. The whole French squadron had now one by one anchored
at exact distances from each other, extending more than half-way across
the harbour; then the signal was given, and the roar of six hundred guns
broke the silence which had hitherto prevailed, the dense clouds of
smoke which arose almost concealing them f