In a minute the little ship was riddled by shot and shell.

Her commander was wounded, her steering-gear had gone wrong, her engines were crippled, and she lay helpless.

The _Hudson_ ran up to tow her out of range, and poor old Bagley had just sung out for them to heave him a line, as the situation was getting rather too warm for comfort, when a bursting shell instantly killed him, together with four of the crew.

In spite of the hot fire, the _Hudson_ ran a line and brought out what was left of the _Winslow_ and her company; but you'd better believe the little craft was a mighty sad-looking wreck.

Hello! What's that ?" A string of colored signal-lights had flashed out for a moment directly ahead of the _Speedy_, and then disappeared.