mes of smoke rolled
along the deck and seemed to triumph over the conflagration. The rending
of wood was audible. It was followed by a sweeping noise in the air, and
the fall of the fore-mast, with all its burden of spars, into the sea. The
motion of the ship was instantly arrested, and, as the heavy timbers were
still attached to the bowsprit by the forward stays, her head came to the
wind, when the remaining top-sails flapped, shivered, and took aback.

The vessel was now, for the first time during the fire, stationary. The
common mariners profited by the circumstance, and, darting past the
mounting flame along the bulwarks, they gained the top-gallant-forecastle,
which though heated was yet untouched. The Skimmer glanced an eye about
him, and seizing Seadrift by the waist, as if the mimic seaman had been a
child, he pushed forward between the ridge-ropes. Ludlow followed with
Alida, and the others intimated their example in the best manner they
could. All reached the head of the ship in safety; though Ludlow had been
driven by the flames into the fore-channels, and thence nearly into the
sea.

The petty officers were already on the floating spars, separating them
from each other, cutting away the unnecessary weight of rigging, bringing
the several parts of the wood in parallel lines, and lashing them anew.
Ever and anon, these rapid movements were quickened by one of those
fearful signals from the officers' berths, which, by announcing the
progress of the flames beneath, betrayed their increasing proximity to
the still-slumbering volcano. The boats had been gone an hour, and yet it
seemed, to all in the ship, but a minute. The conflagration had, for the
last ten minutes, advanced with renewed fury; and the whole of the
confined flame, which had been so long pent in the depths of the vessel
now glared high in the open air.

"This heat can no longer be borne," said Ludlow; "we must to our raft, for
breath."

"To the raft then!" returned the cheerful voice of the free-trader. "Haul
in upon your fasts, men, and stand by to receive the precious freight."

The seamen obeyed. Alida and her companions were lowered safely to the
place prepared for then reception. The fore-mast had gone over the side,
with all its spars aloft; for preparation had been made, before the fire
commenced, to carry sail to the utmost, in order to escape the enemy. The
skilful and active seamen, directed and aided by Ludlow and the Skimmer,
had