nd his companions crouched behind the
engine casing and kept their guns popping until steam began to hiss. On
board the ship the mates leaped from line to line, cutting adrift those
that had withstood the fire, and soon the current took hold and moved
her towards the entrance. Now that the creek was ablaze with light, it
was seen that the entrance cut through Vandersee's agency was simply a
channel scythed through the matted weeds and grasses, big enough to
admit the vessel if the way remained unobstructed. But the creek's
usually sluggish current was trebled in velocity by the outside siphon
effect of the rapid river rushing past the narrow entrance. The matted
grasses could be seen waving and writhing under the swift flow with a
terrible suggestion of remorseless power in their stems should any
unfortunate chance to be plunged among them.

Houten staggered on deck, followed by the men laden with the small,
heavy canvas bags taken by Little from the post. He stood a moment,
gazing abroad at the fiery expanse. He noted Barry's intention of towing
the brigantine out, and now he asserted his authority as owner.

"Don't bodder for the ship, Captain Barry," he shouted. "Take eferybotty
in dot launch to the odder side ouf the riffer. Neffer mind why. I
schall tell you in goot time. Let the ship drift by herself where she
will."

"Then get a move on, all hands!" shouted Barry. "This launch will be
ablaze too in five minutes."

Gordon left their task of pouring water over the straining towline they
had fastened around the red-hot brass bits and tore down the scraps of
fiery canvas from overhead. From the brigantine men leaped into the
smaller craft, kept in order and saved from panic by sturdy old Blunt's
cool advice, backed up by his never-failing good humor. And when Rolfe
and Houten and the old seaman alone remained, the launch was loaded to
her utmost capacity and was on fire in a dozen places.

"Come on down with you!" roared Barry angrily, for the three men left
were playing dignity, each seeking to be the last man to quit. "Blunt,
Rolfe, take told of Mr. Houten and dump him in if he won't move."

"Here ye go then, sir, excusin' me," said Bill, seizing the huge
Dutchman by an arm. Rolfe took the other one, the injured one, and
Houten laughed shakily and shook loose rather than suffer from the
mate's determined grip.

"Yoomp, with you den," he rumbled and mounted the rail. The others were
with him, and as all thre