ft the gangway when
the mainmast fell over the side with a loud crash and a fierce up-
darting of millions of fiery sparks, followed by a great spout of flame
that seemed to indicate that the mast, in falling, had torn up a
considerable portion of the deck. The poor skipper, who had sunk down
beside me in the stern-sheets of the boat, shuddered violently and
heaved a heavy, gasping sigh as the mainmast struck the water close
under the boat's stern, raising a splash that nearly drenched us to the
skin.

"Another half-minute and I should have been too late," he murmured, with
a ghastly smile. "Well," he continued, "so far as the poor old ship is
concerned, my duty is done. But there is still a heavy responsibility
resting upon me, inasmuch as that the lives of all these people depend
almost exclusively upon my judgment and foresight. Put me aboard the
long-boat, please."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

THE GIG IS CAUGHT IN A GALE.

Did as the skipper had requested, receiving young Dumaresq into the gig
in his place, and then the several boats lay upon their oars, awaiting
further orders.

Captain Chesney seemed to be very reluctant, even now, to quit the
neighbourhood of the burning ship; and therein I considered that he was
displaying sound judgment, for the weather was still stark calm, and
whatever movement we might make would have to be executed with the oars,
which would soon result in greatly fatiguing the men without any
commensurate advantage. Moreover the Indiaman was now a blazing beacon,
the light from which would be distinctly visible at a distance of at
least thirty or forty miles in every direction, and would be sure to
attract attention should any craft be in the neighbourhood, probably
leading to her steering in our direction as soon as a breeze should
spring up; in which case we might all hope to be picked up.

That this was in his mind was evident, for he presently summoned all the
boats about him, and pointed out to their occupants the possibilities of
rescue by remaining in the neighbourhood of the burning ship, and he
then went on to say:

"Our reckoning at noon showed that we were then--as we have since
remained--seven hundred and twenty miles south-west by south from the
island of Corvo, one of the Azores, which is the nearest land. There is
a small town called Rosario upon this island, where, if we can but reach
it, I have no doubt we can obtain succour; and I therefore intend to
steer for