Not an expression of alarm escaped from one of the
men. Scarcely a word was spoken as they stood prepared to do their
duty.

Summoning the gunner and the boatswain, the first lieutenant ordered the
former to open the ports, to give light and air below, and the latter to
pipe up the hammocks. He then ascended to the orlop deck, made his way
first into one tier, then into another, in both of which he found the
smoke issuing exceedingly thick from forward. He was now joined by the
second lieutenant and Rayner.

"We'll just go into the sail-room and ascertain if the fire is there,"
he said.

On reaching it, there was no appearance of fire or smoke. It was thus
evident that the seat of the fire was farther forward. He and his
companions next proceeded to the hold, but the dense smoke compelled
them to beat a retreat, as their throats became affected as if from the
fumes of hot tar. A second attempt to reach the hold was equally
unsuccessful. The entire absence of heat, however, convinced them that
the fire could not be in that part of the ship, but that the smoke found
its way through the bulkheads.

They were returning on deck, when a cry was raised that the fire was
down forward.

"I alone will go!" said Mr Saltwell. "Not a life must be risked
without necessity. Remain, and render me any assistance I may require."

Having descended to the orlop deck, he was attempting to go down into
the cockpit, when several men rushed by him, crying out that the fire
was increasing. He endeavoured to retreat, but would have fallen before
he reached the deck, had not the second lieutenant and Rayner, springing
forward, assisted him up, and the next moment he sank down, apparently
lifeless.

It was some minutes before the fresh air revived him.

Two poor fellows were suffocated by the smoke rolling in dense volumes
along the lower deck, and others were rescued half dead by their
shipmates.

Some short time was of necessity lost while the captain and master and
the lieutenants were holding a consultation as to what was to be done.

In the meantime, Rayner, seeing the importance of discovering the seat
of the fire, resolved at every risk to make the attempt. Without
telling any of the officers of his intention, he called on Ben Twinch
and Jack and Tom, whom he met on his way, to accompany him, and to bring
a long rope with him. On reaching the hatchway he fastened the end
round his waist.

"Haul me up if you find