r their doing their duty," replied Mr
Saltwell, with confidence. "If we delay getting out the boats, we may
find it impossible to do so at last, and the lives of all on board may
be sacrificed. We can trust to the marines, and give them directions to
prevent any of the men getting into the boats until you issue the order
for them to do so."

"You are right, Saltwell; send the sergeant of marines here," said the
captain.

The sergeant quickly appeared and stood bolt upright, with his hand to
the peak of his hat, as if on parade, ready to receive any orders which
might be given.

"Call out your men, and understand that they are to load with ball and
shoot any of the seamen who get into the boats without orders."

The sergeant, saluting, faced about, as if going to perform some
ordinary routine of duty, and, quickly mustering his marines, stationed
them as directed. The first lieutenant now gave orders to the boatswain
to turn the hands up, and as soon as they appeared on deck, he shouted,
"Out boats! but understand, my lads, that not one of you is to enter
them without leave. The marines have received orders to shoot the first
man who attempts to do so, though you do not require to be told that."

The crew hastened to the tackles and falls, and with the most perfect
regularity the boats were lowered into the water when they were veered
astern and secured for towing. The helm was now put down, the yards
braced up, and the ship's head directed to the north-west, in which
direction the land lay, though not visible from the deck.

The crew knew by this that the captain and officers considered the ship
to be in great danger, and at the same time it encouraged them to
persevere in their attempts to keep the fire under. They had some hopes
also of falling in with the _Ione_ or by firing the guns to attract her
attention, should she be within hearing of them.

As the boats, however, would not carry the whole ship's company, the
captain directed the carpenter and his mates to get the booms overboard
for the purpose of constructing a raft large enough to support those
whom the boats could not carry.

As it was now evident, from the increasing volumes of smoke which
ascended through the hatchways, that the fire was working its way aft,
although the flames had not yet burst out, it became of the greatest
importance to get the powder out of the magazine. For this purpose the
second lieutenant descended with a party of