it up, but they were unwilling to do this
until the return of the boats. Evening was approaching, and as they had
not yet made their appearance, Jack became somewhat anxious as to what
might have happened to them. The smoke rising from the conflagration of
the stores and vessels could be discerned in the far distance, so that
it was evident that they had accomplished their work; but it was
possible that some disaster might afterwards have happened to them.
Jack accordingly went on board the _Giaour_ to consult with Murray, who
agreed to send up a couple of his boats at daybreak the next morning to
search for those under Higson, and to negotiate for his and his party's
release, should they have been taken prisoners. Jack begged that he
might lead the expedition himself, to which Murray willingly agreed.

Darkness had for some time set in, and still the missing boats had not
appeared; as Jack, whose anxiety had increased, was walking the deck
with Mildmay, the splash of oars was heard. The sentry hailed, and
Green's voice replied; the boats were soon alongside, both of them half
full of water.

"Where are the first lieutenant and Mr Rogers?" asked Jack.

"I am afraid, sir, that they are in the hands of the Russians;" and
Green gave an account of what had happened, adding, "Had it not been for
an old friend of mine, who warned us of the approach of the troops, we
should ourselves have been over powered, or at all events have had a
pretty hard tussle for it."

Green took care not to throw any blame upon Higson, who might have been
accused of acting imprudently, if not of neglecting his duty, by
remaining longer than was necessary at the house which he had visited to
obtain provisions. Having heard Green's report, Jack again went on
board the _Giaour_, and as some time would be required to repair his own
boats, Murray arranged, as he had before promised, to send two of his
half an hour before daylight, so that they might enter the river as soon
as they could see their way.

Just as the ruddy streaks of dawn appeared in the sky, Jack shoved off
from the _Tornado's_ side. He took Green with him to pilot the boats,
and also to communicate with the old German tutor, through whom he might
be able to learn what had become of the prisoners. He carried also a
flag of truce, in the hopes of gaining his object by pacific measures.
As the boats passed under the walls of the fort, they were hailed by the
sentry on the rampa