Ken, call Dimmock. He's an ex-gunnery lieutenant,
and can handle the 6-pounder.'
'I'm here already, sir,' came a voice out of the gloom. I saw the light,
and guessed what was up.'
'I can help, father,' said Ken. 'Ah, and here's Roy.'
All three sprang forward to the gun. It had already been loaded and a
dozen spare shells were ready alongside.
'This is luck,' said Roy in a gleeful whisper, as he ranged himself
alongside the gun. He, like the rest, was perfectly well aware that the
first shot they fired would bring down on them the concentrated fire of
all the batteries on both shores, and that their chances of escape were
hardly worth considering. But this did not weigh for a moment, if they
were able to strike a blow for the Empire.
The revolutions were increasing, the launch moved more rapidly down upon
her quarry.
'Three barges!' exclaimed Roy. 'Big 'uns, too! I say, there must be tons
of stuff aboard. Jove, won't the Turks be sick?'
'We must get the tug first,' said Dimmock, who, though a man of forty, was
as keen as a boy.
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