e to be extraordinarily hot; and
the presence of fire in the ship now sufficiently accounts for it. And
if it has been burning for some time, it may prove to have obtained so
strong a hold as to defy mastery. In such a case it behoves each one of
us to set an example of quiet self-possession to all the rest. You
behaved so nobly the other day during the gale that I think we may
depend on you not to fail in that respect."

"Oh, _I'm_ all right," returned Brook. "I don't believe in being put
out about any think; I'm ready to help anywheres; and I'd begin at once
if I knowed where I could do any good. And if the `governor' (referring
presumably to Mr Dale) makes any fuss, I shall roll 'im up in a blanket
like a parcel and take care of 'im myself."

A thin vapour of smoke was by this time rising from the companion,
accompanied by a strong and quite unmistakable smell of fire; and in a
minute or two more Captain Staunton, in his shirt sleeves, appeared on
deck and called forward for more water.

"There is rather more of it than we at first thought, lads," he said;
"but stick steadily to your work and we'll conquer it yet."

The gang at the fire-engine was rapidly relieved; a fresh shanty was
struck up; the chain of men with buckets got to work; and the quickened
_clank clank_ of the engine handles showed that the crew were still
confident and determined.

"Now is our time," exclaimed Lance to Brook; "cut in here," as a rather
wide gap in the chain of bucket-men revealed itself just at the head of
the saloon staircase; and in another moment both were hard at work, with
their coats off, passing buckets.

Another twenty minutes might have elapsed when Captain Staunton and the
carpenter staggered together up the saloon staircase to the deck,
gasping for breath, their clothes and skin grimy with smoke, and the
perspiration streaming down their faces.

"Send two fresh hands below, if you please, Mr Bowles," shouted the
skipper; "and you, lads, drop your buckets, and lend a hand here to cut
some holes in the deck; the fire is spreading forward, and we must keep
it to this end of the ship if possible."

Two of the most determined of the crew at once stepped forward and
volunteered to go below; Captain Staunton nodded his permission, and led
them to the scene of their labours; while the chain of men who had been
passing buckets along the deck dropped them, and, under the carpenter's
supervision, at once commenced the ta