th that of his companions in danger.

All that man could do in such a case was done; but human foresight and
presence of mind were of no avail against the irresistible power of
that relentless enemy.

The flames darted up the mainmast, reached the boats upon the boom,
and now wrapped in wreathing fires the whole of the quarter-deck,
from whence all had been driven save the captain and first lieutenant,
who still nobly kept their posts.

Amongst those who more particularly distinguished themselves on this
occasion (where all did their duty) was Lieutenant the Hon. G.H.L.
Dundas. This officer was roused from his sleep by the sentinel
announcing to him that the ship was on fire. Springing from his cot,
he hastily put on some clothes and attempted to ascend the after
hatchway, but was driven back by the smoke. He then went to the main
hatchway, and had almost reached the top of the ladder, when he was so
overpowered, that he fell exhausted upon the middle deck.

When he had in some degree recovered, he rushed to the fore hatchway
and thence to the forecastle, where he found the first lieutenant,
some petty officers, and the greater part of the ship's company. These
were endeavouring to haul up the mainsail which was in flames. The
carpenter, seeing Lieutenant Dundas, suggested that he might direct
some of the men to sluice the lower decks, and secure the hatchways,
to prevent the fire reaching that part of the ship.

Mr. Dundas collected about seventy men, who volunteered to accompany
him, and descended to the lower decks. The ports were opened, the
cocks turned, and water thrown upon the decks. All the hammocks were
cleared away, and as many people as could be spared were employed in
heaving water upon the burning wood, rigging, and spars, which kept
falling down the hatchways. The gratings were fastened down and
covered over with wet blankets and hammocks. In this way the lower
deck was kept free from fire for some time, until at length it broke
out in both of the transom cabins, and burnt forward with great
rapidity. Mr. Dundas and his party did not leave that part of ship,
till several of the middle guns came through the deck.

At nine o'clock, finding it impossible to remain longer below, he got
out of one of the starboard lower deck ports, and reached the
forecastle, followed by most of the officers and men who had been with
him. On the forecastle, about 250 men were drawing water, and throwing
it upon the fire