nd secret, as I fully entered into
Curtis's views as to the absolute necessity for concealment.

CHAPTER X.

OCTOBER 20th AND 21st.--The "Chancellor" is now crowded with all the
canvas she can carry, and at times her top-masts threaten to snap with
the pressure. But Curtis is ever on the alert; he never leaves his post
beside the man at the helm, and without compromising the safety of the
vessel, he contrives by tacking to the breeze, to urge her on at her
utmost speed.

All day long on the 20th, the passengers were assembled on the poop.
Evidently they found the heat of the cabins painfully oppressive, and
most of them lay stretched upon benches and quietly enjoyed the gentle
rolling of the vessel. The increasing heat of the deck did not reveal
itself to their well-shod feet and the constant scouring of the boards
did not excite any suspicion in their torpid minds. M. Letourneur, it
is true, did express his surprise that the crew of an ordinary merchant
vessel should be distinguished by such extraordinary cleanliness, but as
I replied to him in a very casual tone, he passed no further remark. I
could not help regretting that I had given Curtis my pledge of silence,
and longed intensely to communicate the melancholy secret to
the energetic Frenchman; for at times when I reflect upon the
eight-and-twenty victims who may probably, only too soon, be a prey to
the relentless flames, my heart seems ready to burst.

The important consultation between captain, mate, lieutenant, and
boatswain has taken place. Curtis has confided the result to me. He says
that Huntly, the captain, is completely demoralized; he has lost all
power and energy; and practically leaves the command of the ship to him.
It is now certain the fire is beyond control, and that sooner or
later it will burst out in full violence The temperature of the crew's
quarters has already become almost unbearable. One solitary hope
remained; it is that we may reach the shore before the final catastrophe
occurs. The Lesser Antilles are the nearest land; and although they
are some five or six hundred miles away, if the wind remains north-east
there is yet a chance of reaching them in time.

Carrying royals and studding-sails, the "Chancellor" during the last
four-and-twenty hours has held a steady course. M. Letourneur is the
only one of all the passengers who has remarked the change of tack;
Curtis however, has set all speculation on his part to rest by telling