time bursting up through the saloon-companion and skylight.
Upon perceiving this it became evident to Captain Staunton that it was
quite hopeless to further prolong the fight; the crew had been for four
hours exerting themselves to their utmost capacity, with the fire
gaining steadily upon them the whole time; they were now completely
exhausted, and the fire was blazing furiously almost throughout the
devoted ship; he therefore considered he had done his full duty and was
now quite justified in abandoning the unfortunate _Galatea_ to her fiery
doom. He accordingly gave orders for the crew to desist from their
efforts, to collect their effects, and to muster again upon the quarter-
deck with all possible expedition.

The men needed no second bidding, they saw that the moments of the good
ship were numbered; and, throwing down whatever they happened to have in
their hands, they made a rush for the forecastle, and there, in the
midst of the already blinding and stifling smoke, proceeded hurriedly to
gather together their few belongings.

In less than five minutes all hands were collected in the waist, waiting
the order to pass over the side.

The boats had meanwhile been hauled alongside, and the ladies, with
little May, carefully handed into the launch. This, when the attempt
came to be made, proved a task of no little difficulty, for the ship's
sides were found to be so hot that it was impossible to touch them.
However, by the exercise of great caution it was accomplished without
mishap; and then the male passengers were ordered down over the side,
Rex and Lance going into the launch with the ladies, while Dale and
Brook were told off to the pinnace. The crew were then sent down; each
man as he passed over the rail being told what boat he was to go into.
Mr Bowles was appointed to the command of the pinnace, and Mr Dashwood
was ordered to take charge of the whaleboat gig, with six hands as his
crew.

The passengers and crew of the _Galatea_ were distributed thus:--

The launch, under the command of Captain Staunton, carried Mrs
Staunton, her little daughter May, Violet Dudley, Blanche Lascelles, the
bosom friends Rex and Lance, Bob and his three fellow apprentices, and
the steward--twelve in all.

The pinnace, commanded by Mr Bowles, had on board Mr Forester Dale,
Brook, the carpenter, the sailmaker, and two of the seamen, numbering
seven all told.

The whaleboat gig, the smartest boat of the fleet, was manne