a strong gang to rig the pumps, and pass the hose
down."

He and the lieutenant then made their way along the hold. The smoke
was very thick, and it was only by stooping low that they could get
along. They could see, however, a glow of light ahead.

"We can do nothing with this," the captain said, "beyond trying to
keep it from spreading, until we have shifted all these stores. The
gang with buckets had better come down, empty them on the pile, and
then set to work to clear the stuff away, as quickly as possible."

The men, who came along gradually and with difficulty, began to
remove the barrels, coils of rope, and spare sails stowed there.
Several of them were overpowered by the smoke, and had to be
carried up again; and others came down and took their places.

In three or four minutes the hose was passed down, and the clank of
the pumps could be heard. Mr. Hardy took the nozzle and while the
men, now a strong party, worked at the stores, directed a stream of
water upon the flames.

For a time, the efforts seemed to make no impression, and the steam
added to the difficulty of working. Another gang of men were set to
work, forward of the mast and, after half an hour's labour, the
stores were so far removed that the hose could be brought to play
upon the burning mass at the foot of the mast.

The lieutenant had been relieved by Harry, and he by the two
midshipmen, in succession. Changes were frequent and, in another
quarter of an hour, it was evident that the flames were well under
control. The men engaged below relieved those at the pumps and, in
an hour from the first outbreak, all danger was over, though
pumping was kept up for some time longer.

The captain made frequent visits to the deck. The vessel was still
running before the wind, and the sea had got up. The motion of the
ship was becoming more and more violent but, as there was nothing
to be done, the men below were not disturbed at their work, and
this was continued until smoke no longer ascended.

Chapter 14: The Great Andaman.

Leaving a party below, to clear away the burnt barrels and debris,
and to extinguish any fire that might still smoulder among them,
the rest returned on deck. Terrible as was the storm, it was a
relief, to all, to cling to the rail and breathe the fresh air,
after the stifling atmosphere of the hold.

The scene, however, was a terrible one. Lightning was flashing
overhead incessantly, although the thunder was only