The bugle on this sounded, and the garrison from all directions came out and piled arms in the centre of the fort. A few minutes afterwards, as Terence stood on the ramparts, he observed Murray with a couple of boats pulling to the shore. Adair, thinking it prudent not to lower the drawbridge, for fear any of the garrison might escape, called to Murray and his party to make their way over the walls into the fortress. Murray, having brought on shore some strong tackles, at once set to work to dismount the guns for the purpose of carrying them off, while the greater number of muskets, which were of no value, after being broken, were hurled into the sea below the fort. Murray highly approved of Adair's proceedings; and the commandant was politely informed that he and his garrison must be for the present content to remain prisoners within their own fort. He and his officers shrugged their shoulders, and observed that it was the fortune of war; while the garrison seemed very indifferent to the matter, probably very glad to have nothing to do, and to run no risk of being shot by their enemies. Murray, however, took the precaution of shutting them all up in the bomb-proof chambers, to prevent them from running away, while at night a bright look-out was kept from the ramparts on all sides, and all hands ordered to be ready to turn out at a moment's notice, lest an attempt might be made by any Russian force in the neighbourhood to recapture the fort. The commandant was allowed to occupy his own quarters, to which he invited the English officers, who found a very welcome repast prepared for them. A remarkably pleasant evening was spent, and the commandant, expressing a hope that the war would soon be over, invited them, as soon as that happy event should occur, to his country-house, which he told them was only a few miles off up the river. They all promised gladly to avail themselves of the invitation, should circumstances allow them to do so. CHAPTER NINETEEN. AN EXPEDITION UP THE RIVER--ATTACK ON THE MAGAZINES--BURNING STOREHOUSES AND VESSELS--HIGSON AND ARCHIE HAVE TO RUN FOR IT--PULL DOWN THE RIVER-- HIGSON AND TOM HAVE TO RECRUIT THE INNER MAN--RUSSIAN NIGHTINGALES-- HOSPITABLE RECEPTION--HIGSON SUCCUMBS TO BEAUTY--THE OLD TUTOR--PROVES TO BE ONE OF GREEN'S FRIENDS--UNPLEASANT INTERRUPTION BY COSSACKS. At early dawn the two boats, as had previously been arranged, shoved off from the side of the _Tornado_, on the proposed expedition up the river, for the purpose of destroying any Government stores or munitions of war which could be discovered. "It is lucky we didn't attempt to come in till we had silenced the guns," observed Higson, pointing to the strong walls which frowned above them, from which the guns had been removed.