"Sure, sor, it's ownly a thrifle," he urged, when told by Mr Stormcock to go below to Mr McGilpin, who was busy in the after-cabin, attending to those of the wounded that the Chinese gunners, who aimed remarkably well, had not put altogether beyond the reach of surgical aid. "I wudn't throuble the docthor wid it; an' faix, I want to pay thim Chaynee images fur smashin' me crockery! Bedad, an' I will, too, for I've got my hands left all right an' a straight oye, an', I'll have a slap at 'em ag'in, sure, by your leve, sor!" "Carry on!" cried Mr Stormcock, who had been assisting to wedge up the gun so that it could be still fired, only the carriage having been injured by the shot. "Make as good practice as you did before, Macan; and, then you'll soon be revenged on some of those beggars!" "I will that, sor," replied the corporal, bending down to the rear right of the sixty-four pounder, which had been slewed round in the direction of the battery abreast us, and taking careful aim. "A ha'porth more illivation, Number 2. Well--muzzle left! Well--fire!" Bang it went off, making the dirt fly from the embrasure opposite, while a cloud of smoke rose up, as if a magazine had been exploded; and so we continued, hammer and tongs, the atmosphere all sulphur and gunpowder, the deck slippery with gore, our ears deafened with the ceaseless discharges of the guns, till it really seemed "as if Hell had broken loose!" as Mr Stormcock said. It was the last sentence the master's mate ever uttered; for a bullet penetrated his brain the next instant, and he dropped down beside me stone dead, almost as soon as the words escaped his lips. I hardly knew what occurred after that, I was so saddened by the loss of Mr Stormcock, whom I had always found a very good friend to me, for he had taught me a good deal; and, notwithstanding that I had not taken to him at first, I had since learnt to have a most sincere regard for him, while he on his part, though so much older than myself, liked me, I believe, for he appeared fond of being in my company. His death, however, only added one more to the long list of those who had already fallen; while every moment some fresh casualty occurred. The enemy's fire got hotter as the afternoon wore on and the fight proceeded, until everyone felt the task the admiral had attempted, with his comparatively weak force, in attacking such formidable defences, was doomed to failure; although not a single man thought of abandoning the struggle or confessing, as was the case, that we were "licked!" But, it could not be much further prolonged; for, at six o'clock, the _Kestrel_ had been sunk, fighting her guns to the last, the _Lee_ obliged to run on the mud to prevent her meeting a like fate; while the _Plover_ and _Opossum_, which were still in the van, had been pretty well knocked out of shape.