This, of course, increased the difficulties of the _Flash_, as each of her guns could only engage one opponent at a time. Her heavy sixty-eight pivot-gun was, however, worked with such rapidity and skill that the enemy were frequently compelled to abandon their guns, and many of their men and horses were killed. Still fresh horses were brought up to move them to new positions, not allowing the crew of the _Flash_ a moment of rest from their labours. Every time one of their shot was seen to tell with effect they cheered lustily; and as they worked away they seemed to enjoy the fun, laughing and joking as if no round-shot and bullets were whistling through the air near their ears. The master had just reported that the water had risen another inch, and Adair had begun to entertain fresh hopes of getting the ship, ere long, afloat, when the smoke of a steamer was seen in the offing. "I hope she's the _Tornado_ or _Giaour_," observed Desmond; "they'll be for sending the boats on shore and putting the enemy to the rout." Adair naturally hoped pretty much the same, but, on consideration, he could not help suspecting that the ship in sight was the _Anaconda_, commanded by Commander Allport, his superior officer, for whom, on account of previous circumstances which need not just now be mentioned, he had no special regard. "At all events, he is a brave fellow, and will stand by me," he said to himself. As the stranger drew near, Adair found that his surmises were correct. He had, in the meantime, been continuing his efforts to get the _Flash_ afloat, the crew working away as energetically as at first. "She's the _Anaconda_, sir," said Tom, who had been watching the signals as they appeared at the masthead of the approaching vessel. "Say the ship's ashore, but I hope to get her off, and beg _Anaconda_ to stand in and support me," said Adair. The signals were hoisted. It was possible that the wreaths of smoke which circled round the ship might have prevented them from being seen clearly. The enemy continued firing away at her as if hoping to secure her destruction before support could reach her, while her crew worked her guns with the same ardour as before. Adair calculated that, in another hour, she would be afloat, perhaps in less time. The _Anaconda_ stood in nearer, and began again to make signals. Adair looked over the signal-book. "It can't be that!" he exclaimed, as he read, "Abandon ship, and come on board me with your crew." "There must be some mistake," he added in an undertone. "I wish that I was blind of one eye and not able to see it. Answer it," he said at length, "`Before we quit the ship, we'll try what we can do.'" With reluctant heart he gave the order to heave the pivot-gun overboard, taking care to secure a buoy to it, hoping that he might yet get it up. The engine was set going, once more the capstan was manned, but still the _Flash_ did not move.