Year: 1877

woulu MT ner ana she would turn about
again or back of and resume her promenade
up and down before the shore below the
camp. Her movements were evidently in
tended to save her against our torpedoes in
case we closed in upon her, but in reality
they could not have protected her in any
way. !.


COMING TO CLOSE QUARrEns


Finding that the gunners on the mon
itor could not shoot well we approached her
within two kilometres range, and one Of
our shells set her deck again ON fire.
This second time it blazed up strongly and
many of the crew were seen to jump over
board and swim ashore We were SLOWLY
approaching her, firing steadily and with
remarkable effect, and felt confident of de-
stroying her by torpedoes, when second
enemy came up and changed the odds of
battle n.


ANOTHER TURKISH MONITOR.


Lieutenant Dubashof then related how
tho second Turkish monitor came to the
rescue of her disabled consort. She carried
two large guns in single turret and also
four on her deck. She approached under
full steam and began firing as soon as she
came within range. The little torpedo
boats, of course, could not venture to at
tack this powerfully armed vessel. and
finding the FIRE growing hotter began to
retire,


ARTILLERY FROM THE CAMP


''On the approach of the monitor battery
of seven guns came galloping down to the
river side from the camp and, bringing the
pieces to bear on the torpedo boats, opened
fire. The battery was supported by COM
pany of infantry, which. however, could
not harass the Russians, who were out of
rifle range Of the shore.


FIGHTING THOUGH RETREATING.


''At half-past one o'clock the Russians
commenced to retreat down the river, but
kept up brisk fire with their stern guns
on the enemy. Several shells were thrown
into the camp and against tho iron-clad
sides Of tire monitor, and so effective was
this fire that the Turks made no attempt at
pursuit, being evidently satisfied at their
own escape.


RESULT OF THE ACTION.


''The Russian officers counted twelve shells
that struck the Turkish vessel, and for their
own part they had only few splintered
planks to prove that they had been in
action. None of the crews of the torpedo
boats were even wounded by the Turkish
fire, but there is good reason for believing
that the loss on the monitor and in the
camp was by no means slight.


THE RUSSIAN OFFICERS


''The three officers who commanded the
torpedo boats in this expedition are already
famous from their exploit in blowing up the
Turkish monitor in the Matchin Channel.
They are inseparable, and again share the
glory of this latest exploit. Lieutenant
Dubashof is blonde of the English type,
with delicate complexion and slight, 1.-the
figure. He is evidently by birth gentle
man, and has travelled much and is familiar
with all the European capitals.


DuBAsHoFF's COMRADES.


Lieutenant Schestakoff has q short and
sailor like figure, and q countenance of the
Saxon type, with healthy complexion and a
hearty voice. He is possessed of an mex
ship, and as mild a pair of gray eyes as
were ever set in Saxon face. The mid
shipman is u Roumanian in both face and
figure. Not one Of the three heroes is more
than thirty years of age.


CONGRATULATED BY ALEXIS


"While the officers fthe torpedo boat ex-
pedition were relating their adventures
despatch came from the Grand Duke Alexis,
now in command of the naval operations on
the Danube, congratulating the officers and
crews on their brave conduct. The crews
of the boats were at once paraded in line on
shore and the Grand Dukes despatch read
to them by Lieutenant Dubashoff. The
sailors responded by loud cheers for the
Czar the Grand Duke and their own gallant
commander and his brother officers
M sULEIMAN AGAIN DEFEATED.


Suleiman Pacha hos been defeated at
Karabunar, with heavy loss. Ten guns
were taken from him. His army is retreat
inc precepitate1v on Adrianople Kara.