er of the masts
going over the side at any moment. I and my two boat-keepers kept them
off as best we could with oars and boat-hooks; but to be constantly
at it became exasperating, since there was no reason why we should not
leave at once. We could not see those on board, nor could we imagine
what caused the delay. The boat-keepers were swearing feebly, and I had
not only my share of the work, but also had to keep at it two men who
showed a constant inclination to lay themselves down and let things
slide.

"At last I hailed 'On deck there,' and someone looked over. 'We're ready
here,' I said. The head disappeared, and very soon popped up again. 'The
captain says, All right, sir, and to keep the boats well clear of the
ship.'

"Half an hour passed. Suddenly there was a frightful racket, rattle,
clanking of chain, hiss of water, and millions of sparks flew up into
the shivering column of smoke that stood leaning slightly above the
ship. The cat-heads had burned away, and the two red-hot anchors had
gone to the bottom, tearing out after them two hundred fathom of red-hot
chain. The ship trembled, the mass of flame swayed as if ready to
collapse, and the fore top-gallant-mast fell. It darted down like
an arrow of fire, shot under, and instantly leaping up within an
oar's-length of the boats, floated quietly, very black on the luminous
sea. I hailed the deck again. After some time a man in an unexpectedly
cheerful but also muffled tone, as though he had been trying to speak
with his mouth shut, informed me, 'Coming directly, sir,' and vanished.
For a long time I heard nothing but the whir and roar of the fire. There
were also whistling sounds. The boats jumped, tugged at the painters,
ran at each other playfully, knocked their sides together, or, do what
we would, swung in a bunch against the ship's side. I couldn't stand it
any longer, and swarming up a rope, clambered aboard over the stern.

"It was as bright as day. Coming up like this, the sheet of fire facing
me, was a terrifying sight, and the heat seemed hardly bearable at
first. On a settee cushion dragged out of the cabin, Captain Beard,
with his legs drawn up and one arm under his head, slept with the light
playing on him. Do you know what the rest were busy about? They were
sitting on deck right aft, round an open case, eating bread and cheese
and drinking bottled stout.

"On the background of flames twisting in fierce tongues above their
heads they seemed a