g to
begin, buckets filled, the hose distended, and one of the sailors
holding his thumb tightly over the hole in the branch.

As the men went down the captain drew a long breath, for he realised how
difficult it would be to apply the water effectively. The lower deck
was growing more dense with smoke moment by moment, and the men who were
to direct the water upon the flames would be compelled to stand below in
that stifling heat.

It was an awful time, and every soul there realised the horror of the
position--a hundred miles from the nearest land, the vessel all of wood
and laden with a fairly inflammable cargo, which must be well alight by
now to judge from the tremendous fume.

The captain's manner and his orders, however, gave some confidence to
the men, who, as they waited, saw one boat lowered and heard it kiss the
water, while directly after preparations were being made for the
lowering of another.

"That's right," said the captain cheerily. "We have plenty of boats, so
there is nothing to fear. Now, Mr Gregory, how is it below?"

There was a faint reply, evidently from a distance, and then a rush was
heard, and the two men came up blinded, choking, and coughing violently.

"Where's Mr Gregory?" cried the captain.

"Here!" was the reply, and the first-mate's head appeared above the
coamings of the hatchway.

"Well?"

"I can make out nothing, sir," said the mate, setting down his lantern,
"only that the smoke is rising all over."

"Can't you localise the place?"

"No."

"Up with the hatches, then, and let's have the water in," cried the
captain. "You take the deck now, and I'll go down. Three fresh men
here."

Half a dozen stepped forward and part were selected, for the discipline
of the ship told, and not a man so much as glanced at the boats now.

"Axes," said the captain, "and as soon as we haul off some hatches pass
down that hose, Gregory, and begin handing down the buckets."

"Are you going to stay below, sir?"

"Yes, for a spell," said the captain; and Mark felt a swelling sensation
at his breast as he saw his father go down into that suffocating fume to
risk his life.

At that moment a hand was laid upon his shoulder, and turning sharply it
was to see that the major was just passing him, laden with provisions
for the next boat.

"What a soldier he would have made, my lad!" said the major, and passed
on.

"He could not have done anything more brave," said Mark to himself, "if