Every now and then a column of vapour burst forth from the side of some vessel when the metal sheathing was pierced and the imprisoned air rushed out. The two long lines of flaming vessels gradually drifted nearer to one another, until they were about a mile apart, vomiting out sheets of fire, while the space between was swept by a storm of shot and shell. Neither side dared to approach any nearer, for the concentrating reflectors were ready to liquefy any vessel that came within range. The space all round the contending lines was soon filled with clouds of vapour and pieces of exploded shells and fragments of metal that had been torn off the outsides of the ships. Most of the vessels were slowly turning round about their longitudinal axis, discharging a terrific broadside from each deck as it came within range, the discharged guns being loaded while they were turned away from the enemy.
Both sides soon began to show the
