I was not able to make a direct examination, and went at once on deck again, where the firing was now fast and furious.
Another and another shot struck us, and the sight was piteous. Not a boat remained at the davits, and everywhere splinters were flying about, wounding many a poor fellow as he stood at his gun. The shell which had exploded below, too, had set the Quickmatch on fire in two places, and I had to send some men down with the hose, lest the fire should spread to the deck beneath our feet.
Suddenly out of the darkness right ahead came a bright glare of light, followed by the reports of several guns.
Looking, I beheld a sight that made my heart leap for very joy.
"Hurrah, the Polyphemus!" I shouted. "We shall do it yet, men!"
For the famous torpedo-ram, the only ship of her kind in the world, had appeared on the scene, and a formidable opponent would our friends the enemy find her.
And as if to damp my ardour there came another shot from the cruiser, which, carrying away our foremost funnel with an awful crash, struck the bridge, killing poor Taylor instantaneously as he stood there.
"Oh! the blackguards!" I yelled despairingly, my heart down in my boots again, for the cruiser was now rapidly nearing us.
There was, unfortunately, no chance of our torpedoing her, for our stern-tube had been knocked to atoms by the shell which had come in astern. Were we to lose the day at the eleventh hour, and just as the succour we so greatly needed came in sight? It was too bitter; and, forgetful of every risk now, I shook my fist frantically at the Frenchman, a frightful rage gnawing at my heart. After coming so far and losing so many brave men, to fail at last!
But it had been ordained that I was not to fail in my mission, after all, for the Polyphemus had now to be reckoned with by the Frenchman, and she was gallantly trying to draw the enemy's fire from us to herself.