ey wished to be cut to
pieces.

Meantime Ben and his companions were fighting their way towards the
flagstaff; a few men who were collected were quickly put to flight.

"Now, up goes the British ensign and the fort is ours," cried Ben; and,
suiting the action to the word, the Russian flag being hauled down, that
of England was hoisted in its stead. The commandant, finding that the
fort had really been captured by the English, came forward with a low
bow, and presented the hilt of his sword to Adair, who took it in the
most gracious manner he could assume, observing as he did so, "You have
gallantly defended your fort, and deserve every consideration at our
hands; but at the same time I must warn you that I cannot allow any of
your garrison to escape from the fort. After they have laid down their
arms, I will settle how they are to be treated."

The bugle on this sounded, and the garrison from all directions came out
and piled arms in the centre of the fort. A few minutes afterwards, as
Terence stood on the ramparts, he observed Murray with a couple of boats
pulling to the shore. Adair, thinking it prudent not to lower the
drawbridge, for fear any of the garrison might escape, called to Murray
and his party to make their way over the walls into the fortress.
Murray, having brought on shore some strong tackles, at once set to work
to dismount the guns for the purpose of carrying them off, while the
greater number of muskets, which were of no value, after being broken,
were hurled into the sea below the fort. Murray highly approved of
Adair's proceedings; and the commandant was politely informed that he
and his garrison must be for the present content to remain prisoners
within their own fort. He and his officers shrugged their shoulders,
and observed that it was the fortune of war; while the garrison seemed
very indifferent to the matter, probably very glad to have nothing to
do, and to run no risk of being shot by their enemies.

Murray, however, took the precaution of shutting them all up in the
bomb-proof chambers, to prevent them from running away, while at night a
bright look-out was kept from the ramparts on all sides, and all hands
ordered to be ready to turn out at a moment's notice, lest an attempt
might be made by any Russian force in the neighbourhood to recapture the
fort. The commandant was allowed to occupy his own quarters, to which
he invited the English officers, who found a very welcome repast