ces were seen above the hill, and a
band of Cossacks came galloping towards the wreck. Jack immediately
ordered the port gun to be brought to bear on the advancing horsemen,
who seemed not to be aware that they could be reached from that
distance, and went on, making sure of being able to capture the whole
shipwrecked crew. On seeing that the latter were armed, they levelled
their lances, and were bearing down upon them, when Jack gave the word
to fire. The first shot struck the horse of their leader, which came
down, rolling over him; it seemed as if both rider and steed were
killed. The next shot pitched into the midst of their ranks, emptying
at least a couple of saddles. The third shot did still more damage;
when the cossacks, not knowing how many more might be coming, wheeled
quickly round and galloped off into the interior; the crew of the
transport, meantime, firing a volley which, though at a considerable
distance, brought two or three to the ground.

As soon as he came abreast of the wreck, Jack sent three of his boats on
shore to bring off the crew; Murray volunteered to take command of them.
As he neared the beach, he saw the Cossacks still hovering in the
distance, out of the reach of the guns, but threatening to pounce down
again, probably still in the hopes of making some prisoners. The
_Tornado_ accordingly stood in as close as she could venture, to cover
the boats, which soon reached the beach. The transport's crew stood
ready to receive them; scarcely, however, had they begun to embark, than
the Cossacks once more came galloping up. Murray immediately ordered
those still remaining on shore to face about; while, just as the
Cossacks reached the high ground above the beach, a couple of shells
thrown from the _Tornado's_ guns burst amid their ranks; when, once more
wheeling about, they galloped off at a rapid rate, leaving the rest of
the crew to embark without molestation.

Having carried them on board, Murray returned for the purpose of
destroying the transport, that her stores might not fall into the hands
of the enemy. He had for this purpose to pull round inshore. It was
not without some difficulty that he, Higson, and Needham made their way
on board. Such combustible materials as could be found were soon
collected, and lighted in the hold of the transport; the boat then at
once pulled away for the _Tornado_. She had got to some little distance
from the ship, when the Cossacks were again