"All hands leap out!" cried Jack; and the men, seizing the boat, began hauling away, without stopping an instant, across the sand. They had got very nearly to the water's edge on the other side, when Tom shouted out, "See, sir, here come some Cossacks!" It was fortunate that Tom had observed them; in another minute they would have been up to the boat, but the men, giving her a shove which sent her skimming away over the calm surface, leaped on board, and, getting out their oars, pulled away at a rapid rate, leaving the Cossacks to shake their lances at them in vain. After pulling some way, they caught sight of the _Tornado's_ light, when the commander and his party were welcomed with a hearty cheer on board, the crew having felt very anxious when they heard of the dangerous character of the expedition on which he had gone. CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. DICK NEEDHAM'S EXPEDITION--DICK AND ARCHIE CAPTURED--ATTACK ON THE CARAVAN--UNEXPECTED MEETING WITH HIGSON AND MIDSHIPMEN--HIGSON'S UNWILLINGNESS TO RETURN--JACK'S SOLUTION OF THE DIFFICULTY--THE YOUNG LADIES' GRIEF--TOM, AGAINST HIS WILL, JOINS THE FLASH--CAPTURES A FORT AND GUNS--THE SLEEPING BEAUTIES--THE FLASH AGROUND--ATTACKED BY RUSSIANS--FATE OF FLASH--DESMOND THINKS OF EMIGRATING--TOM'S "PRIOR ENGAGEMENT"--CAPTURE OF KINBURN. The Mosquito fleet had been employed for many weeks in destroying almost immeasurable quantities of provisions and stores, effectually crippling the resources of the Czar's armies. Private property had invariably been spared, so that the inhabitants of the country did not exhibit any ill-feeling towards the English. The few men who by chance fell into their hands were treated with considerable kindness. Jack's usual plan was, after having ascertained the whereabouts of the magazines or stacks, which were nearly always placed on the seashore, to steam up to the spot just before daybreak, and immediately to send in one or two boats, the officers of which, landing with torches, quickly set the stores on fire, and scampered back before they could be pursued. Night after night, now in one place, now in another, stores and magazines were destroyed; and as there were upwards of a dozen vessels thus engaged, it may be conceived what mischief was committed.