embarked with him, to the care of
Providence, he at last fell asleep; but, before the bell was struck
eight times, to announce midnight, he was awakened by a rude shove of
the shoulder, and perceived Krantz, who had the first watch, standing by
him.

"By the Heaven above us! Vanderdecken, you have prophesied right. Up--
quick! _The ship's on fire_!"

"On fire!" exclaimed Vanderdecken, jumping out of his berth--"where?"

"The main-hold."

"I will up immediately, Krantz. In the mean time, keep the hatches on
and rig the pumps."

In less than a minute Philip was on deck, where he found Captain
Barentz, who had also been informed of the case by the second mate. In
a few words all was explained by Krantz: there was a strong smell of
fire proceeding from the main-hold; and, on removing one of the hatches,
which he had done without calling for any assistance, from a knowledge
of the panic it would create, he found that the hold was full of smoke;
he had put it on again immediately, and had only made it known to Philip
and the captain.

"Thanks for your presence of mind," replied Philip; "we have now time to
reflect quietly on what is to be done. If the troops and the poor women
and children knew their danger, their alarm would have much impeded us:
but how could she have taken fire in the main-hold?"

"I never heard of the Vrow Katerina talking fire before," observed the
captain; "I think it is impossible. It must be some mistake--she is--"

"I now recollect that we have in our cargo several cases of vitriol in
bottles," interrupted Philip. "In the gale, they must have been
disturbed and broken. I kept them above all, in case of accident: this
rolling, gunwale under, for so long a time must have occasioned one of
them to fetch way."

"That's it, depend upon it," observed Krantz.

"I did object to receive them, stating that they ought to go out in some
vessel which was not so encumbered with troops, so that they might
remain on the main-deck; but they replied, that the invoices were made
out and could not be altered. But now to act. My idea is, to keep the
hatches on, so as to smother it if possible."

"Yes," replied Krantz; "and, at the same time, cut a hole in the deck
just large enough to admit the hose, and pump as much water as we can
down into the hold."

"You are right, Krantz; send for the carpenter, and set him to work. I
will turn the hands up, and speak to the men. I smell the fire now ve