of the man dashing on like a living torch
through the darkness of that awful night, made me long to close my eyes
and stop my ears. But I could not--it was impossible. I could only
cling helplessly to that bulwark, praying for the power to help, but
unable to stir.

It takes long to describe all this, but it was only a matter of a minute
or two, before, with the flames rushing up to a point above his head and
streaming behind him, he rushed for the bows.

I grasped in an instant what he intended to do, and felt that at last I
could act. For, seeing that he meant to leap overboard, I made a start
to run back to the cabin and shout to those in the boat to pick him up,
when he caught his foot in a rope, and fell upon the deck with a heavy
thud; and before he could rise, the man with the oilskin overcoat flung
it over him, rolled him over and over in it, and extinguished the
flames.

In the midst of the loud talking which followed, I heard Jarette's voice
above all the rest.

"It was his own fault," he cried. "Here, carry him below. I shall not
take the blame."

"But you shot at and hit him," growled a man angrily.

"As I will at you, you dog," roared Jarette, "if you disobey my orders.
Quick!--get him below."

I saw Jarette bend down to the moaning man, for two of the crew held
lanterns over him; and then, as they were all crowding down the
hatchway, I hurried into the cabin, closed the door after me, and going
to the window, I leaned out, and called in a whisper to Mr Brymer, but
there was no answer.

I called again and again, raising my voice till, had any one been on
deck, there must have been an alarm raised; but still there was no reply
from the boat, and feeling at last that my companions must have rowed
along by the ship to try and find out what was the matter, I was about
to go back and run along till I could hail them and implore the doctor
to come on board to try and save the poor wretch's life, when, all at
once, there was the faint splash of an oar, and Mr Brymer exclaimed--

"Ah, at last! I was afraid you were being hunted. What were they
doing? What was the meaning of those cries, and the torches they were
rushing about the deck with?"

I explained in few words, and, saying I would fetch a rope, implored Mr
Frewen to come up and help the poor creature.

"Come? Of course I will, Dale," he said; "but it seems curious work to
do--help the men who have sent us adrift on the ocean in an open