e over, and we should be left on the wide ocean to try and
fight our way to the land.

How dim the sparks and tiny, darting flames grew, and how black the
ship! I listened for the splash of oars, and the sound of voices; but I
heard neither for a time, and then only in faint whisperings, whose
import I could not grasp.

Then our silence was broken by a slight moaning, for the doctor had gone
to attend Walters, where he still lay insensible; and after that I
faintly grasped the fact that in that darkness aft Mr Frewen had been
attending to the captain and to Mr Denning. But I knew it all in a
very misty way, and then I knew nothing whatever, for everything was a
blank till I started up excitedly, and Mr Brymer said--

"Steady, my lad, steady; nobody is going to throw you overboard."

I had been asleep for hours, and I moved out of the way now, feeling
ashamed to look round; but when I did, it was to see that Mr Brymer, I,
and two more were the only people awake.

"Then the ship hasn't sunk," I said, as I looked at her about five
hundred yards away, with a pillar of smoke rising out of her hold, and
the masts, yards, and sails all in their places intact.

"Yes; she still floats," said Mr Brymer, quietly; "and we are going
closer to see how she stands."

"Where are Jarette and the men?"

"They rowed away to the east," replied Mr Brymer, "and are quite out of
sight."

"Then we can talk aloud," I cried.

"Ay, and shout if you like."

It was morning, and there were signs of the sun being just about to roll
up above the smooth sea, as the men gently dipped their oars so as not:
to waken the sleepers, and the boat began to move softly toward the
ship.

"It is a puzzle to me that she has not gone down, Dale," said Mr
Brymer, in a low voice. "That explosion was enough to drive out her
sides, as well as rip up her deck; and I am beginning to think that
after all she may float."

"But she is on fire still," I said; "and though burning slowly, the fire
must be eating its way through the bottom."

"Perhaps not, my lad," he replied. "There was an immense amount of
cargo solidly stowed below, and it may be only that which is burning."

"But you will not venture to go on board?" I said.

"Why not, my lad?"

"She may suddenly sink."

"She does not look now as if she would; at all events not during this
calm. Yes; I am going on board, and you may come too if you like."

I looked at him wonderingly, and felt