CHAPTER XVI.
THE BOMBARDMENT.
“A shell!” echoed Ned.
As he spoke there came another screaming rush, and this time it was followed by a reverberating crash. The earth shook. The projectile had burst near at hand.
“Thought I hadn’t forgotten the tune,” muttered Stanley.
“There must be a ship to seaward pumping metal into this wasp nest!” exclaimed Midshipman Stark, his face burning with excitement.
“That’s it, sir, I think. Here, Strong, give me a leg up—so.”
Once more Stanley peered through the window, supporting himself as before.
“There’s some sort of craft out yonder,” he announced, fairly sputtering out his words in his excitement. “She’s firing so fast I can’t see her for smoke.”
Explosion followed explosion now. Bugle calls resounded amid the noise of falling buildings. The inmates of the prison could hear the clash of accouterments as troops raced by. Hoarse commands sounded near and far.