y enough from the poop-deck,
reported the water on board, and then eagerly set to work, carrying more
stores, blankets, and all else we could by any possibility want, till
the mate cried hold, enough.

"We've got all we can stow, I'm sure," he said.

"Then pray let us get away before it is too late," whispered Mr Frewen.

"Afraid, doctor?"

"Yes--for those poor shivering people below, sir--and, well, yes, I am
alarmed too, knowing that at any time the deck may be rent up beneath
our feet and the vessel sink."

"Yes; it is unpleasant to think about, and there is the danger of those
scoundrels lowering one of the boats and coming round here for stores
that they have none of there. Ah, there goes one of them down."

For plainly enough came the chirruping of the falls as the boat was
lowered from the davits.

"Now then, down with you, Frewen. You next, my lads; I don't think I
can remember anything else. You after the men, Dale, and I come last,
as I'm captain for the time."

We all obeyed with alacrity, and I breathed more freely as I sat down in
the boat. Then Mr Brymer slid down, and threw the rope back through
the cabin-window.

The next minute the painter was withdrawn from the ring-bolt, and Bob
Hampton sent the boat away with a tremendous thrust; oars were got out,
and we rowed out into the darkness to lie-to about three hundred yards
from the ship, just as a dark object came along from forward, and we saw
that, as the mate had expected, the boat which had been lowered had come
round to the stern-windows for the men to mount, if they could, in
search of stores.

"None too soon. Dale," said the mate, coolly, and a deep breath of
relief escaped my lips as I replied in his words--

"No, sir; none too soon."

CHAPTER FORTY.

As we lay there in our boat, only a short distance from the burning
ship, it seemed to me impossible that it could be long before Jarette
and his men discovered us, and came in pursuit. For I felt sure that
they would give us the credit of having been beforehand with them, when
they saw how the stores had been put under contribution; and knowing how
much more easy it would be for them to remove the things from one boat
to another than to obtain them from the ship, we should, if overtaken,
be absolutely stripped. Something to this effect I whispered to Bob
Hampton, but he shook his head.

"Not they, my lad; they're in too much of a scare. Don't suppose
they've got any ro