saved her; but he now felt that
she had been got on shore by inexcusable carelessness, and this thought
made him inclined to become almost frantic. He restrained his temper
and feelings, however, in a wonderful way for an Irishman, and with
perfect coolness bent all his energies to the task of getting her off.
His first lieutenant was on the sick list; the second had a short time
before been relieved by a mate who somewhat resembled Mr Mildmay,
without the sterling qualities of that officer, and for the sake of
being better able, as he thought, to examine the coast, had kept the
ship just a point or two, as he said, to the northward of the course
given to him. However, had he even steered directly for the shore the
commander was answerable, Terence knew too well.

In vain the crew laboured away at the capstan till the hawser was taut
as a fiddle-string; not an inch would the ship budge. The master
suggested that by heaving the guns and stores overboard she might be got
off.

"And perhaps even then we might stick fast, or before she is afloat the
enemy might make his appearance and find us at his mercy," answered the
commander; "no, no--we'll keep our teeth, and show them too, to some
effect, as long as the ship holds together."

Tom and Desmond were not very complimentary to the stupid old mate who
had been the cause of the disaster. Tom, who was acting as
signal-midshipman, had been for some time examining the shore, when he
caught sight of some figures moving along in the distance. Presently,
as they approached, he could see that they formed a small body of
Cossack cavalry; two of them galloped on ahead, till they got near
enough to ascertain the condition of the ship. A shot from one of her
long guns, though it missed them, sent them to the right-about, and the
whole body soon afterwards disappeared. No long time, however, had
elapsed when they were again discerned coming in the direction of the
ship, accompanied by a body of infantry and several field-pieces.

"We must be ready for those fellows," observed Terence, "and do our best
to dismount their guns."

While one portion of the crew were sent to their quarters, the others
were kept employed in endeavouring to haul off the ship. On came the
infantry, looking out for such imperfect shelter as could be found on
the coast; and the guns, which had remained some way behind them, opened
their fire on the ship. They were not ill served, and their shot fel