"I should think not, unless the magazine catches fire," I answered.

"They'll drown that the first thing, if they can," remarked Tom. "I
wish we could have gone in one of the boats. I don't like to see people
in danger and be unable to try and help them."

CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE HURRICANE.

In spite of all the exertions being made on board, with the assistance
of the men from the other ships who had now arrived alongside, the smoke
increased in denseness, and presently burst up above the hatchway, while
we could see the red glare through the ports. The ship having been in
the West Indies for some time, her woodwork was like tinder, and the
flames rapidly gained the mastery. Now forked tongues of fire burst out
from the midship ports, gradually working their way forward and aft. At
length all attempts to save the ship were abandoned. The crew were seen
descending into the boats, some collected forward, others under the
quarter. Down they came by ladders and ropes, the midshipmen and the
boys first, the men following, looking like strings of sausages
surrounding the ship. Rapidly as every one moved, there was no
confusion. As the boats were loaded they pulled off, others taking
their places. So quickly had the fire spread that it seemed as if the
officers had scarcely space left them to stand on before descending.
Shouts were raised when the glitter of the gold lace on their coats was
seen as they came over the quarter. The last man to quit was the brave
captain of the ship. Almost in an instant afterwards she was in a
fierce blaze fore and aft, the flames rushing out of the cabin windows
as well as through the bow ports. We in the meantime had got springs on
our cables, as had all the other ships, in case she should drift from
her moorings.

"I suspect the shot were withdrawn," I observed to Tom Pim.

"I hope so," he answered; but just then--crash! there came a couple of
round shot against our side, while more guns were heard going off in the
opposite direction.

We immediately hauled away on one of our springs, just in time to escape
several more iron missiles, which went bounding across the harbour.
Three or four other ships were struck, but no one on board ours was
hurt. Presently there came a loud roar, the mizen-mast shot up,
followed by the after-part of the deck, and then came hissing down into
the water. The flames surrounding the other masts formed a fiery
pinnacle rising into the dark