"As plucky a job as ever I see!" cried the sergeant, running up with
three or four others, and he slapped George on the back with a
heartiness that made the lad wince.
The wounded man was hastily carried off the field.
"More stunned than hurt," reported the surgeon, "a nasty tap on the
left shoulder; but he'll be all right in a day or so."
Within half an hour George Fairburn found himself on board the
_Dorsetshire_, to assist in the operations against the New Mole. The
signal had come to Captain Whitaker to proceed against that place, and
the ship was headed for the spot. To the surprise of those on board,
they perceived two other ships in advance of them; they were the
_Yarmouth_, Captain Hicks, and the _Lennox_, Captain Jumper, a gallant
pair. Boats from the two vessels were perceived hastening to the
shore. The crews landed, and almost immediately their feet touched
ground a dense cloud was seen to fly up into the air, followed by a
deafening explosion.
"A mine!" rose from a hundred throats, as the _Dorsetshire_ men
watched with straining eyes. It was true; two score gallant fellows
were afterwards found lying on the fatal ground.
With a determined rush the _Dorsetshire_ men fell upon the defenders,
and George found himself engaged in a hand-to-hand encounter.
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