e captain's
cabin, and as Rayner looked over the side, he could see the flames burst
out of the lee ports. The guns had not been loaded, but there was no
necessity to fire signals of distress. The condition of the ship could
be seen from far along the shore, and it was hoped that boats would, as
she drew near, put off to her assistance.

The master, some time before, had brought up a chart on deck, and now
pointed out to his brother officers the exact spot towards which the
ship was steering. It was the Bay of Rosas. Already the ship was
entering between two capes which formed its northern and southern sides.
The captain stood in the midst of his officers and men, gathered on
deck, for every place below was filled with smoke, and, except in the
after-part of the ship, the raging flames had gained full mastery.

His wish had been to reach the shore before any one quitted the ship; he
now saw that to do this was impossible.

"My lads," he said, "I am about to order up the boats. You have
hitherto maintained your discipline; let me see that you are ready to
obey orders to the last. And now we'll have the raft overboard, which
will carry every man who cannot be stowed in the boats, even if the
Spaniards don't come out to help us. Lower away."

It was no easy matter to perform this operation, with the fire raging
uncontrolled not many feet off, almost scorching the backs of the men
standing nearest it.

A cheer announced that it had safely reached the water, when the
carpenter and his crew, with a few additional hands, were ordered on to
it, to secure the booms on either side, so as to increase its power of
supporting a heavy weight.

Scarcely had this been done, and the launch ordered up under the stern,
than the ship struck and remained immovable, though nearly a mile from
the shore. Then the tall masts seemed to sway to and fro as if they
were about to fall, though it might only have been fancy.

The marines, who had faithfully performed their duty, were stationed on
either side, while the sick and several of the wounded were lowered into
the launch. The boys and younger midshipmen were next directed to go
down the ladder, and the other men were told off. The two yawls and
jolly-boat being hauled up, were then loaded with as many as they could
carry.

"May I stay by you, sir?" asked Rayner of Mr Saltwell.

"No, Rayner," answered the first lieutenant; "you have done your duty
well this day, and I canno