hem to
themselves, whilst I saved my own and my men's lives. If the fire is
put out, I must again go on board, though we lose half our number in the
attempt, or I should never dare show myself to the Admiral. Ah! there's
a specimen of the negro's habits."

The slaves, upon being able to raise the hatches, rushed on deck,
shouting and yelling like demons. Seeing some of the slaver's crew, who
had also come on deck, they rushed at them, and with such weapons as
each possessed a fight took place on the deck of the doomed vessel.
Utterly reckless as regards the fire, which was now raging, and
illuminating the deck, the two parties fought for revenge and life. The
numbers of the negroes soon enabled them to overcome the slaver's crew,
who were stiff from their late confinement, and the negroes were
consequently masters of the ship. The use they made of this temporary
possession was not to endeavour to quell the flames, or in any way to
make preparations for their own safety; but, rushing into the cabins,
they searched for plunder, and more particularly for drink, which,
however, did not consist of any thing more than a few bottles of
inferior brandy. For the possession of this brandy terrific struggles
took place, handspikes and planking being used for weapons. To view
this scene from the boats was like obtaining a temporary view of the
imaginary infernal regions on which so many civilised beings delight to
enlarge and dwell. The raging fire, which now was catching the rigging,
was below the mass of yelling, dancing, fighting blacks, who seemed only
intent on a few minutes' maniac-like orgies.

Standing calm spectators of the scene, Hans observed the Zulus who had
been his fellow-prisoners. Though nearly black in colour, these men
were unlike the negro in features, and seemed altogether a superior
race. Though he had so lately been engaged in combats against the
Zulus, yet when Hans saw these men thus calmly awaiting their death, he
was desirous of saving them.

"See those men standing near the mast," said Hans: "they are Zulus. I
should like, to save their lives."

"How can you do that?" inquired the lieutenant. "Will you let them come
in the boat?" inquired Hans.

"Yes, if they can get in; but I cannot allow the boat to go near the
slaver: she would be swamped in a minute, and all our lives would be
sacrificed."

"I will try to make them understand," said Hans, "if you will help them
into the boat if th