in a silence which was solemn. In the present state
of the weather, immediate flight was, we knew, impossible.

After a considerable pause, Falsten, as calmly as though he were
delivering some philosophic dogma, observed,--

"The explosion, if I may use the formula of science, is not necessary,
but contingent."

"But tell me, Mr. Falsten," I asked, "is it possible for picrate of
potash to ignite without concussion?"

"Certainly it is," replied the engineer. "Under-ordinary circumstances,
picrate of potash although not MORE inflammable than common powder, yet
possesses the same degree of inflammability."

We now prepared to go on deck. As we left the saloon, in which we had
been sitting, Curtis seized my hand.

"Oh, Mr. Kazallon," he exclaimed, "if you only knew the bitterness of
the agony I feel at seeing this fine vessel doomed to be devoured by
flames, and at being so powerless to save her." Then quickly recovering
himself, he continued, "But I am forgetting myself; you, if no other,
must know what I am suffering. It is all over now," he said more
cheerfully.

"Is our condition quite desperate?" I asked.

"It is just this," he answered deliberately "we are over a mine, and
already the match has been applied to the train. How long that train may
be, 'tis not for me to say." And with these words he left me.

The other passengers, in common with the crew, are still in entire
ignorance of the extremity of peril to which we are exposed, although
they are all aware that there is fire in the hold. As soon as the fact
was announced, Mr. Kear, after communicating to Curtis his instructions
that he thought he should have the fire immediately extinguished and
intimating that he held him responsible for all contingencies that might
happen, retired to his cabin, where he has remained ever since, fully
occupied in collecting and packing together the more cherished articles
of his property and without the semblance of a care or a thought for his
unfortunate wife, whose condition, in spite of her ludicrous complaints,
was truly pitiable. Miss Herbey, however, is unrelaxing in her
attentions, and the unremitted diligence with which she fulfills her
offices of duty, commands my highest admiration.

OCTOBER 23rd.--This morning, Captain Huntly sent for Curtis into his
cabin, and the mate has since made me acquainted with what passed
between them.

"Curtis," began the captain, his haggard eye betraying only too plainly
some