The cold had restored my scattered faculties, and it was indeed a fearful and heartrending sight that I beheld. Almost beyond conception, the terrible scene is to this day branded on my brain, never to be erased till my dying day.
There were but few souls in the water, alas, for the explosion had killed most of my men as they stood on the upperdeck, and the Quickmatch was nowhere to be seen.
A couple of hundred yards away, still keeping up an aimless fire, was the Frenchman; a terrible outcry rising from her decks; the men already breaking away from the restraints of discipline and leaping headlong over the side.
The Polyphemus had rammed her!
As we gazed we saw the great vessel vomiting flames and men, heel slowly over, and gradually go down into the unknown depths; a fearful hissing noise, followed by a terrible explosion, telling of the dire conflict of fire and water as her furnaces met their natural enemy. The air was thick with lurid smoke, filled with the shrieks of the dying and the fierce oaths of men who were vainly attempting to catch some passing spar, or clutching at some more favoured individual at the imminent risk of dragging both down to destruction in their frenzy.
We strained our eyes in the direction of the Polyphemus, and had the heartfelt satisfaction of seeing her lowering all her available boats.
And then the reaction overcame me and I fainted dead away, and would inevitably have drowned but for the strong right arm of Bates.
****
