"Ah, then! but it's hot work is goin' on," said Flinders, turning to Ben Bolter just after a crash of artillery somewhat louder than usual.
"It's hotter work ye'll see soon, when the Admiral gits into action," said Ben.
"True for ye," answered Flinders; "he's a broth of a boy for fightin'. It's an Irishman he should have been born. Hooroo, my hearties! look out!"
This latter exclamation was drawn forth by the crashing of a stray shot, which entered the ship close to the spot where they stood, and passed out on the starboard side, sending splinters of wood flying in all directions, without hurting any one.
"There goes the first!" said Bill Bowls, looking up at the ragged hole that was left.
"Faix, but it's not the last!" cried Flinders, as another stray shot hit the ship, wounding one of the men, and sending a splinter so close past the Irishman that it grazed his cheek. "Hooroo, boys! come on, the more the merrier! Sure it's death or victory we'll be havin' in half-an-hour."
At this moment of intense excitement and expectation, when every man's nerves tingled to be called into vigorous action, Ben Bolter saw fit to give Flinders a lecture.
"Ye shouldn't ought to speak misrespectful of death, boy," said he gravely. "He's a rough customer when he gits hold of 'e, an' is sartin sure to have the upper hand. It's my opinion that he'll pay this ship a pretty stiff visit to-night, so you'd better treat him with respect, an' belay yer jokin'--of which yer countrymen are over fond."
To this Flinders listened with a humorous expression about the corners of his eyes, while he stroked his chin, and awaited a pause in order to make a suitable reply, but an exclamation from Bill Bowls changed the subject abruptly.
"Ho! boys," he cried, "there goes the Admiral."
A tremendous crash followed his words, and the _Vanguard_ was seen to pour a broadside into the _Spartiate_--as before related.
The men of the _Majestic_ gazed eagerly at the Admiral's ship, which was almost enveloped in thick smoke as they passed ahead, but an order from Captain Westcott to be ready for action called the attention of every man on his duty. Whatever might have been, at that moment, the thoughts of the hundreds of men on board the _Majestic_, the whole soul and body of every man appeared to be concentrated on his own gun, as he awaited in stern silence the order to act.