clouds of smoke which, circling round and then
rising in the air, formed a dark canopy over the combatants. Young
Chandos was not far off. Whatever might have been his sensations at
first, he was collected enough now to attend steadily to his duty, and
the work going on was a pretty severe trial to young nerves. The
midnight battle raged fiercer and fiercer. A shot came flying by.
Ralph felt that he was hit severely in the arm, and was compelled to
summon another man to the wheel; but binding up his wounded limb, he
stood as before at his post. Not many minutes afterwards a round shot
struck the bulwarks, sending splinters flying in every direction. At
the same moment Ralph, who had his eye on the captain, saw him stagger,
and springing forward, caught him with his unwounded arm just as he was
falling to the deck. Others gathered round. It was evident that he had
been most seriously wounded. In vain he endeavoured to speak, but
becoming senseless was carried below. Lieutenant Handsel at once took
the command, making his clear voice, as he issued his orders, heard amid
the wild din of battle. For an hour and a half the engagement had raged
on and yet was as furious as ever. The lieutenant of marines, a tall,
handsome young man, was cut almost in two by a round shot soon after the
captain had fallen, and several more men were hit. Aloft, however, the
damage was far more severe than on deck; the running rigging hung in
festoons, the standing rigging was cut to pieces, every sail was riddled
through and through, and the masts and yards were badly wounded in many
places. Judging by the crashing sound which came back from the French
ship after each broadside fired by the _Falcon_, and the white splinters
which flew from every part of her upper works, she was in a still worse
plight. Still her crew kept up a hot fire. The young midshipmen, and
even others, might possibly have begun to wish that the battle was over.

"Keep at it, my lads!" was the cry passed along the decks; "she'll soon
give in."

Broadsides had been exchanged: another proceeded from the _Falcon_; but
none came in return.

"Cease firing!" cried Lieutenant Handsel; and as soon as all was silent
he hailed the enemy and asked if she had struck. No reply was made.
Again the _Falcon_ opened fire; but as the Frenchmen did not return it,
she at once ceased, and a second time the lieutenant hailed, but no
answer was made.

"We must give them more