rst to regain his senses.

"The ship's on fire," shouted Fred excitedly.

As he spoke a few red tongues of flame appeared from the hatch. Orders
were instantly given and a brigade to fight the fire was formed almost
at once. It was difficult work, however, for the night was so dark that
it was nearly impossible to see one's way around the deck. The flashes
of lightning were about the only help afforded to the emergency firemen.

The four young friends were among the first to join in this work.
Buckets were passed from hand to hand and the men worked feverishly. No
one shirked for an instant and in fact no one dared to do so, for
without their ship the men were nearly helpless, left to the mercy of
the ocean.

"The wind's coming up," exclaimed Grant suddenly.

What he said was true. It was also raining hard once more, though the
thunder and lightning had somewhat abated.

"The wind means our finish," said Fred grimly. "We'll never stop this
fire now."

"We must," cried John doggedly. "We're lost if we don't."

Every one redoubled his efforts but the fire gained steadily. Higher and
higher leaped the flames and farther and farther astern they crept. The
crew worked like demons but their task was hopeless. The fire was too
mighty for them and it was soon evident to every one on board that the
_Josephine_ was a doomed ship.

CHAPTER VI

ADRIFT

Captain Dodge stood near by urging on his men. Nor did he shirk any of
the work himself. He fought the flames with all the fury of a determined
man, but it soon became plain that it was an unequal struggle and that
the _Josephine_ would never reach Buenos Aires or any other port
for that matter.

"Man the boats!" shouted the captain.

The lifeboats were loosened on the davits and made ready to launch. A
stock of provisions was placed on board of every one of them and
preparations were made to embark. The four Go Ahead boys were assigned
to one boat, together with Sam the cook and Petersen the Finn sailor.

"That'll never do," said John in a low voice to Grant. "Sam and Petersen
in the same boat are bound to have trouble."

"I'm afraid so myself, String," said Grant, "but what can we do? Captain
Dodge gave the orders and we must do as he says."

"Wouldn't he change them?"

"He might, of course, but I'm not going to ask him to."

"No," said John ruefully, "I don't suppose we could do that. I guess
we'll have to put up with it."

The wind had been steadi