the latter, we must stand
out and meet her, and leave the three vessels in the bay till we can
come back and settle with them."

Still Jack showed no inclination to quit the neighbourhood of the fort,
into which shell after shell was thrown, till most of its guns had been
silenced. Many an eye, however, was turned towards the approaching
strangers, till at length the first showed English colours. A cheer
rose from those of the crew not engaged at the guns, the only sign they
gave of their desire for assistance. In another minute the number of
the approaching steamer was made out, "She's the _Giaour_" exclaimed
Archie.

If Jack ever felt any inclination to be jealous of Murray it was now, as
he was his superior officer; but the feeling which arose in his breast
was speedily quelled. The _Giaour_ came rapidly on; Murray signalised
to Jack, "Remain where you are, and I will attack the vessels in the
bay." Jack ordered the signal to be made, "They will attempt to escape
up the river."

"Stand on and stop them," was the answer from the _Giaour_.

The _Tornado_ accordingly steamed on towards her three antagonists,
which now began to turn their heads, as Jack had expected they would,
towards the mouth of the river. They were thus unable any longer to
fire at him, while he was still able to reach them with two of his guns,
one firing shot and the other shell. The _Giaour_ now signalised,
"Steamer to the south, English."

"Hurrah!" exclaimed Tom; "we are now on equal terms, and can bag the
whole of them."

The three Russian vessels were still half a mile away from the mouth of
the river when Jack got off it, and by this time the _Giaour_ was near
enough to take a part in the engagement, her shot beginning to tell with
considerable effect on the nearest of the enemy. The Russian vessels
now swept round, apparently with the intention of running across the
bay, firing their broadsides at the _Tornado_, but with little effect;
and she, in return, as they exposed their sterns in flight, kept up a
brisk fire at them with shot and shell. One of them now burst into
flames, and in half a minute blew up, destroying the greater number of
her unhappy crew.

The other two, however, still continued on their course, hoping,
apparently, to get out of the bay ahead of the _Giaour_, not being
aware, it was evident, that another English ship was near at hand to cut
them off. Jack, knowing that they must both be intercepted, mad