out the ladies;" and he lending a hand, Mademoiselle Ivanowna was
next hauled up, Higson taking her in his arms with the most affectionate
solicitude and carrying her to a place of safety by the side of the
road; while the rest dragged out her mamma, who, if not much hurt, was
greatly alarmed. The coachman, who had also been thrown off his box,
had in the meantime been assisting the postillions in cutting the
traces; which, having been done, the latter galloped off, under the
impression, probably, that should they remain they would be made
prisoners with their master.

While this scene was taking place, Jack, with Jos Green, and their men,
had advanced towards the post-house, in front of which a small body of
troops were drawn up, waiting an opportunity, apparently, to attack the
English as soon as they were still more scattered in their pursuit of
the waggons, as it was evident they would quickly be. No sooner,
however, did they perceive Jack's compact party of seamen in
well-ordered array advancing towards them, than, without even firing
their muskets, they went to the right-about, and scampered off as fast
as their legs could carry them.

Just as they disappeared, a window in the post-house was thrown open,
and out of it jumped Dick Needham, followed by Tim Nolan.
"Erin-go-bragh!" shouted the latter; "it's ourselves have gained our
liberty."

"There's no time to tell you how it all happened, sir," said Dick, as
Jack welcomed him; "we were not badly treated by the Russians, but I am
main glad to get out of their hands--I only wish there was as good a
chance of your brother and Mr Gordon getting set at liberty; but I am
sorry to say they gave their parole, as they called it, to the colonel;
and when I told them that Tim and I had got a plan for getting off from
the Russians and making our way to the coast, they told me that they
could not join in it, as they were bound to stay till the war was over."

Commander Rogers, however, had no time to listen further to what his
gunner had to say, as he had to set to work at once to destroy the
captured waggons. Having examined the post-house to ascertain that no
enemies lurked within, he set fire to the leading waggons; and, upon his
way to the river to destroy the remainder, he came upon the overturned
carriage, near which he found the colonel's family, with Higson and the
midshipmen. The colonel expressed his pleasure at seeing him, and
informed him that he was on hi