nt, and
then sunk, leaving a dull red spark upon the water.

"It's a ship on fire," cried Frere.

CHAPTER III. THE MONOTONY BREAKS.

They looked again, the tiny spark still burned, and immediately over it
there grew out of the darkness a crimson spot, that hung like a lurid
star in the air. The soldiers and sailors on the forecastle had seen
it also, and in a moment the whole vessel was astir. Mrs. Vickers, with
little Sylvia clinging to her dress, came up to share the new sensation;
and at the sight of her mistress, the modest maid withdrew discreetly
from Frere's side. Not that there was any need to do so; no one heeded
her. Blunt, in his professional excitement, had already forgotten her
presence, and Frere was in earnest conversation with Vickers.

"Take a boat?" said that gentleman. "Certainly, my dear Frere, by all
means. That is to say, if the captain does not object, and it is not
contrary to the Regulations."

"Captain, you'll lower a boat, eh? We may save some of the poor
devils," cries Frere, his heartiness of body reviving at the prospect of
excitement.

"Boat!" said Blunt, "why, she's twelve miles off and more, and there's
not a breath o' wind!"

"But we can't let 'em roast like chestnuts!" cried the other, as the
glow in the sky broadened and became more intense.

"What is the good of a boat?" said Pine. "The long-boat only holds
thirty men, and that's a big ship yonder."

"Well, take two boats--three boats! By Heaven, you'll never let 'em burn
alive without stirring a finger to save 'em!"

"They've got their own boats," says Blunt, whose coolness was in strong
contrast to the young officer's impetuosity; "and if the fire gains,
they'll take to 'em, you may depend. In the meantime, we'll show 'em
that there's someone near 'em." And as he spoke, a blue light flared
hissing into the night.

"There, they'll see that, I expect!" he said, as the ghastly flame rose,
extinguishing the stars for a moment, only to let them appear again
brighter in a darker heaven.

"Mr. Best--lower and man the quarter-boats! Mr. Frere--you can go in
one, if you like, and take a volunteer or two from those grey jackets
of yours amidships. I shall want as many hands as I can spare to man the
long-boat and cutter, in case we want 'em. Steady there, lads! Easy!"
and as the first eight men who could reach the deck parted to the
larboard and starboard quarter-boats, Frere ran down on the main-deck.

Mrs. Vicker