le knew how near
help was at hand; I only wish Mr Higson had followed my advice."

As Jack had no wish to encounter the Cossacks, who were certainly not
likely to bring Higson with them, he hurried on his men, and at length
reached Colonel Paskiewich's house. The fair Feodorowna, in an artless
manner, showed her pleasure at seeing Tom in safety; while Ivanowna
could not restrain her tears on hearing that the lieutenant was still a
prisoner.

As Jack considered it his duty not to delay a moment longer than was
necessary, he was compelled to decline Madame Paskiewich's invitation to
remain for breakfast, and, accompanied by Herr Groben, who wished to bid
farewell to Green, he hurried to the boats. In a few minutes they were
again pulling down towards the mouth of the river.

On arriving at the fort, Jack found that all the necessary preparations
had been made for its evacuation. Colonel Paskiewich and his officers
were liberated on their parole not to serve again during the war, while
the men were transferred to the _Flash_, to be conveyed on board some of
the larger ships of the fleet.

"I'll do my best to obtain the liberation of your first lieutenant,"
said the colonel to Jack, as he bade him farewell.

"We might arrange for exchanging you with him," observed Jack.

"Thank you, but I would rather not," answered the colonel significantly;
"I should then be compelled again to fight in this detestable war,
whereas at present I may remain as a non-combatant with my family; which
I confess--though mention it not, my friend--much better suits my
principles and taste."

"You are a brave man, and defended your fort gallantly," observed Jack.

"That was my duty," answered the colonel; "a man, I hold, may be
physically brave, and yet abhor fighting. As long as it was my duty to
fight, I fought; I can now with honour sheathe my sword, in the earnest
hope that I may never again have to draw it, especially against
Englishmen. There are many of my countrymen, who, I doubt not, feel as
I do. Good-bye, my friend; may we meet again in happier times!"

Jack accompanied the colonel out of the fort, and, as soon as the last
Russian had taken his departure, Jack fired the trains which had been
laid to the mines in different parts of the fort, and, leaping into his
boat, pulled away towards the _Tornado_. Before the boat had got
half-way, the first explosion was heard, the stout walls trembling and
shaking, while clouds of