He waved the flag, but again he saw the oars dip the water, and he gave up all hope. With a cry of despair he flung himself into the water, and at the same moment a terrific explosion told him that the fire had reached the magazine, and that the Guerriere was destroyed.
Showers of timber and ropes, pieces of sails and ship's stores fell around him, and a dead body was hurled with frantic force against him, sickening him even more than the terrible strain and exhaustion.
With a cry to Heaven for help, he buffeted the waves in one last despairing effort.
[CHAPTER XIII.]
THE RETURN OF THE CONQUEROR.
"Where is that brave man who, at the risk of his life, rescued our wounded and our men?" asked Captain Dacres, as he paced the deck of the Constitution with Captain Hull.
"Is he not in the boat?" asked Hull.