The glare rose in the sky, and suddenly there was the sound of an explosion, sparks rose in dense clouds into the air, and the ship plunged like a wild creature in terror, broke from her moorings, and drifted alongside a sister ship.

The flames spread to her rigging, and in a few minutes both were ablaze; and before the affrighted and bewildered crews could do anything to prevent it, a third vessel had become involved in the conflagration, and the town was illumined by the pillars of flame which shot up from the still waters of the harbour.
All was confusion and dismay, for the French had no ships to spare.
Four had been deliberately sunk in the harbour's mouth to prevent the entrance of the English, and here were three all in a blaze.
The soldiers and inhabitants rushed madly down to the water's edge to seek to stay the conflagration, and Julian, seizing his opportunity, rushed through the gateway with a small detachment of men from one of the outside batteries, and found himself within the town without having been so much as challenged.
Down to the water's edge with the rest he rushed, shouting and gesticulating with the best of them.

His uniform prevented his being even so much as looked at.

To all appearance he was a French soldier.

He did not hesitate to mingle in the crowd, or avoid conversation with any.