Quickly, however, the Russian vessels replied. Flame flashed continuously from the turret of the _Navarin_ and the port guns of the _Opricnik_ and the _Najezdnik_, while the search-lights were at the same time shut off. At first the fire was very ineffectual, but gradually as the vessels crept closer to each other the encounter became more and more desperate. The Russian torpedo boats _Vzryv_, _Vindava_, and _Kotlinj_ were immediately active, and the _Narcissus_ had a very narrow escape, a Whitehead torpedo passing right under her bows, while one British torpedo boat, which at the same moment was endeavouring to launch its deadly projectile at the _Navarin_, was sent to the bottom by a single shot from the _Najezdnik_. The combat was desperate and terrible. That the British had been already successful in surprising and sinking a torpedo boat and six of the hostile transports was true; nevertheless the number of Russian ships lying there was much greater than the British Admiral had anticipated, and, to say the least, the four vessels now found themselves in a most critical position. The _Navarin_ alone was one of the most powerful of the Tsar's battleships, and, in addition to the seven cruisers and nine torpedo boats, comprised an overwhelming force. Yet the English warships held their own, pouring forth an incessant fire. Each gun's crew knew they were face to face with death, but, inspired by the coolness of their officers, they worked on calmly and indefatigably. Many of their shots went home with frightful effect. One shell which burst over the magazine of the _Lieut. Iljin_ ripped up her deck and caused severe loss of life, while in the course of half an hour one of the heavy turret guns of the _Navarin_ had been disabled, and two more Russian torpedo boats sunk. Our torpedo boat destroyers operating on the Channel seaboard were performing excellent work, the _Havock_, _Shark_, _Hornet_, _Dart_, _Bruiser_, _Hasty_, _Teaser_, _Janus_, _Surly_, and _Porcupine_ all being manoeuvred with splendid success. Several, however, were lost while sweeping out the enemy's torpedo boat shelters, including the _Ardent_, _Charger_, _Boxer_, and _Rocket_. [Illustration: SINKING OF H.M.S. "AURORA" BY A TORPEDO: "THE CRUISER ROSE AS IF SHE HAD RIDDEN OVER A VOLCANO."] But the British vessels were now suffering terribly, hemmed in as they were by the enemy, with shells falling upon them every moment, and their decks swept by the withering fire of machine guns. Suddenly, after a shell had burst in the stern of the _Aurora_, she ceased firing and swung round, almost colliding with the _Narcissus_. Her steam steering-gear had, alas! been broken by the shot, and for a few moments her officers lost control over her. A Russian torpedo boat in shelter behind the _Navarin_, now seeing its chance, darted out and launched its projectile.