e fury of the mutineers, while Mr Lawrie's earnest appeals
induced them to exert themselves in putting out the flames. Indeed, had
not the explosion which has been described taken place, they might
possibly have succeeded. For a few moments they stood aghast; but the
boatswain, who had already shown his courage, rallied the survivors
around him, and urged them to assist him in building a raft. "It's our
only chance of saving our lives," he shouted; "and the sooner we set
about it the better." Most of the men, obeying him, began cutting loose
such spars as could be most easily got at, and launching them overboard.
They then, with axes, cut away the bulwarks and other materials for
forming a raft; while Mr Lawrie and his party still made desperate
efforts to extinguish the fire. The boatswain showed himself a thorough
seaman, by the skilful way in which he put the raft together; and he had
finished it before the flames had gained the mastery--thanks to the
labours of the surgeon and his party, who, though they could not
extinguish it, had kept down the fire. Mr Lawrie, who had not
forgotten Alice, was hurrying aft with the intention of trying to save
her, when some of the mutineers caught him. "Come along, sir!--come
along!" they shouted; "we want a doctor among us, and cannot leave you
behind;" and, in spite of his struggles, he was dragged to the side and
lowered down on the raft. Dan had made a dash into the cabin, but only
in time to see Nub and Alice floating away on a raft from the wreck.
Notwithstanding the bruises he had received, he rushed forward in the
hope of saving his life, and, unseen by the mutineers, he lowered
himself down among them.

Mr Lawrie's first inquiry on being placed on the raft, and just as they
were shoving off, was whether they had brought any provisions. "If we
leave the ship without any, we shall only be seeking a more lingering
death than we should have found on board," he exclaimed.

The cry arose from those near him, who saw the sense of his
remark,--"What provisions have we got?" Search was made, when it was
found that they were actually leaving the ship without a particle of
food or a drop of water!

"This will not do," cried the boatswain. "Who will volunteer to go back
and get what we want? I'll lead the way!" Saying this, he sprang up
the side, followed by several of the more daring of the crew. They made
their way to the after-hold. A cask of beef was got up; but