hat could have been
made with the small fire-engines at that time in use, would have been
utterly useless. The fire gradually descended to the different courses
of solid timber, the well-hole of the staircase assisting the draught,
and the outside timbers and inside mast, or wooden core, forming a
double connecting link whereby the devouring element was carried to the
very bottom of the building, with a heat so intense that the courses of
Cornish moor-stone were made red hot.

Admiral West, with part of the fleet, happened to be at that time in
Plymouth Sound. He at once sent a sloop with a fire-engine to the rock.
They attempted to land in a boat, but could not. So violent was the
surf, that the boat was at one time thrown bodily upon the rock by one
wave and swept off again by the next. The escape on this occasion was
almost miraculous, the men therefore did not venture to make another
attempt, but contented themselves with endeavouring to work the engine
from the boat, in doing which they broke it, and thus all hope of doing
anything further was gone. But indeed the engine they had would have
availed nothing, even though it had been twice as powerful, against such
a mighty conflagration. As well might they have tried to extinguish
Vesuvius with a tea-kettle!

For four days and nights did that massive pillar of fire burn. At last
it fell in ruins before the most irresistible element with which man or
matter has to contend, after having braved the fury of the winds and
waves for nearly half a century.

Thus perished the second lighthouse that was built on the Eddystone
Rock, in December of the year 1755, and thus, once again, were those
black reefs left unguarded. Once more that dread of mariners, ancient
and modern, became a trap on the south coast of England--a trap now
rendered doubly dangerous by the fact that, for so long a period, ships
had been accustomed to make for it instead of avoiding it, in the full
expectation of receiving timely warning from its friendly light.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

OLD FRIENDS IN NEW CIRCUMSTANCES.

We open the story of the third, and still existing, lighthouse on the
Eddystone with the re-introduction of Teddy Maroon--that Teddy who acted
so prominent a part at the burning of Rudyerd's tower in December 1755.

Men's activities seem to have been quickened at this period of time, for
only about six months were allowed to elapse between the destruction of
the old and the co