n to 'out boats.'

The order was promptly executed, and as soon as the boats were out and
secure for towing, the ship's head was pointed to the north-west, with
the view of nearing the land, and in hopes that she might fall in with
the Juno.

In the meantime, a party was employed in getting the booms overboard
for a raft, the fore and main gratings were laid up and covered over,
and Lieutenant Banks was sent down to get the powder out of the
magazine, and stow it away in the stern gallery. He could only
partially accomplish this; for the smoke increased upon them so much
that the men were obliged to desist. The powder they had got up was
thrown overboard, and water was poured down to drown that which
remained; but the task of filling the magazine was hopeless, and
therefore abandoned. Many of the men were drawn up apparently
lifeless, amongst whom were Lieutenant Banks and the gunner.
Lieutenant Tailour then went below to ascertain how matters were going
on; he found only the boatswain's mate in the cockpit, who was almost
stupified by the smoke. Mr. Tailour assisted him to reach the deck,
and then the gallant officer was preparing to return to the magazine,
taking a rope with him by way of precaution, when Lieutenant Banks,
with noble generosity, darted past him, also with a rope in his hand,
and descended on the dangerous service; but in a short time he was
drawn up in a state of insensibility. All hope of doing anything with
the magazine was then given up; but although the smoke was so powerful
below, it had not yet got possession of the after part of the lower
deck.

It was therefore proposed, and the proposition was immediately acted
on, to cut scuttles through the starboard foremost cabin in the
ward-room, and one under it in the gun-room, into the magazine. This
was found more practicable than was at first supposed, as the cabins
kept out the smoke. When they were cutting these scuttles, the smoke
came up in such dense volumes through the after-hatchway, that it was
necessary to shut it closely up, and the scuttle in the after-part of
the captain's cabin was opened for a passage to the ward-room, and
they began to haul up the powder, and heave it overboard out of the
gallery windows. The ward-room doors, and every other passage for the
smoke were carefully closed, and thus it was kept tolerably well
under; yet many of the men employed in the duty were taken up to all
appearance dead. Amongst them we again fin