get on board? I asked myself, as I looked upward;
but I was soon made aware of that, for right forward there was a
quantity of the top-hamper of the broken mast with a couple of the
square sails awash, so that there was no difficulty about scrambling up.

"I don't think there is any one on board, Herrick," said Mr Brooke,
"but sailors should always be on the _qui vive_. Stay in the boat, if
you like."

"I don't like, sir," I said, as soon as he had given orders to four men
to follow us, and the next minute we were climbing up to stand upon the
deck.

"No doubt about it," said Mr Brooke through his teeth. "She has been
plundered, and then left to drift ashore or to burn."

For there from the forehold curled up the pillar of smoke we had seen,
and a dull crackling noise came up, telling that, though slowly, the
fire was steadily burning.

We could not see much below for the smoke, and Mr Brooke led the way
forward to the forecastle hatch, which lay open.

"Below! Any one there?" cried my officer, but all was silent as the
grave.

One of the men looked at him eagerly.

"Yes, jump down."

The man lowered himself down into the dark forecastle, and made a quick
inspection.

"Any one there?"

"No, sir. Place clear and the men's kits all gone."

"Come up."

We went aft, to find the hatches all off and thrown about anyhow, while
the cargo had been completely cleared out, save one chest of tea which
had been broken and the contents had scattered.

"No mistake about it, Herrick," said Mr Brooke; and he went on to the
after-hatch, which was also open and the lading gone.

The next minute we were at the companion-way, and Mr Brooke hailed
again, but all was still. Just then the man peering over my shoulder
sniffed sharply like some animal.

The sound sent a shudder through me, and Mr Brooke turned to the man
sharply--

"Why did you do that?"

"Beg pardon, sir," stammered the man; "I thought that--as if--there
was--"

He did not finish.

"Come on," said Mr Brooke sternly, while I shuddered again, and
involuntarily my nostrils dilated as I inhaled the air, thinking the
while of a butchered captain and officers lying about, but there was not
the faintest odour, and I followed my officer, and then for a moment a
horrible sickening sensation attacked me, and I shuddered.

But it all passed off, and, myself again directly, I was gazing with the
others at the many signs which told us as plainly as if it