rature or science
that will not at some time or other be productive of real pleasure.

We have lingered on this subject longer than we should have done, for
we must now relate how soon the tranquillity of that fair scene was
disturbed--how for a time another light, redder and fiercer than that
of the moon, shone on the blue waters of the Hellespont.

Soon after nine o'clock P.M., Captain Blackwood had received from his
first lieutenant the report of the safety of the Ajax, and all, except
the officers and men who were on duty, had retired to their berths. A
very short time, however, had elapsed, before the stillness of the
night was broken by the appalling cry of 'Fire!' It must be a fearful
sound to hear--the cry of 'Fire!' as awful as the voice of him who

Drew Priam's curtain in the dead of night,
And would have told him half his Troy was burned.

The officer of the watch instantly informed Captain Blackwood of the
alarm. He hastened upon deck, and found too surely that flames were
bursting from the after-part. He gave orders to beat to quarters--to
fire the guns as signals of distress, and directed Lieutenant Wood and
a midshipman to proceed in one of the boats to all the ships of the
squadron to request assistance.

These orders were promptly given, and promptly obeyed; but who can
enter fully into the feelings of Captain Blackwood at that awfully
critical moment. Here was his ship and six hundred men threatened with
immediate destruction, and each one of that six hundred looked to him
for direction and guidance.

In order to inspire others with courage and confidence, he must
display decision in every look and gesture. Whatever others might do,
his lip must not tremble, nor his eyelid quiver--no look of
apprehension must be seen on his brow. He must stand forth calm and
undaunted--the recollection of tender ties and loving hearts might
wring his soul with agony, but these thoughts must be banished; the
safety of six hundred human beings depended, under God, on his
firmness and exertion, and every eye was directed to him in anxious
inquiry. When the ship's company had turned out, every man took his
station calmly and in obedience to orders.

The captain, followed by several of his officers, went down to the
cockpit, from whence issued clouds of smoke. Every effort was made to
extinguish the flames in that part of the ship, but they increased so
rapidly, it soon became impossible for any one to remai