ersistently
continued; and I am almost inclined to believe that it is now, if
anything, rather stronger than it was when I went below. Do you think
it possible that the ship's cargo is on fire?"

"By Jove!" exclaimed the skipper; "I never thought of that. It shall be
looked to at once. I am much obliged to you, Doctor, for mentioning the
matter; and should have been even more so if you had communicated with
me rather earlier. Come along, Bowen; we must investigate without
further delay."

The doctor hurriedly entered into an explanation to the effect that he
could not leave his patients until they had been properly attended to,
and that there was no one by whom he could send a message; but we could
just then ill spare the time to listen to him; so, with a hasty
acceptance of his excuses, the skipper led the way out on deck, I
following.

We made our way straight to the forecastle, into which we forthwith
descended; and, sure enough, we were no sooner fairly below the coamings
of the hatchway than we became aware of a distinct smell of fire, to
which also one of the less seriously injured of the wounded men
immediately directed our attention. We sniffed about, hither and
thither, and soon found that the smell was stronger as we stooped nearer
to the deck, or approached the bulkhead dividing the fore-hold from the
forecastle. It was now almost certain that there was a smouldering of
something somewhere below; and without more ado the skipper flung off
his coat, lifted the hatch of the forepeak, and descended. He remained
below about five minutes; and when he reappeared he composedly closed
the hatch, resumed his coat, and beckoned me to follow him on deck. The
crew were now busily engaged, under the direction of the chief and
second mates, in clearing away the wreck of the foremast; we therefore
walked aft until we were out of hearing of everybody; when the captain
paused, and, turning to me, said:

"I am very much afraid that the ship is on fire, but I cannot be sure.
The smell is distinctly stronger in the forepeak than it is in the
forecastle, yet not strong enough to lead to the belief that it is
anything serious. Still, it must be attended to at once. So I shall
knock off the men, call them aft, and speak to them before doing
anything, or we shall have a panic among them. Then I shall have the
fore-hatch opened, and proceed to make a proper examination of the
cargo. Mr Priest," he continued, calling