The blaze'll
go right over us, and you understand, lads, as soon as the blow up
comes, we shall all rush out, take 'em by surprise, and capter the
schooner. That's right, sir, ain't it?"

"Yes, that's right, Tom. Be ready, my lads."

"Ay, ay, sir," said the men, coolly; and the black grasped a cutlass as
well, looking prepared for anything.

"It'll be sharp work, my lads, but we must win."

"And we will," said Tom, grimly. "Think I can do better with the
powder, sir?"

"No; that will be excellent for the purpose," said Mark. "Now give me
the box and lie down."

"Give you--the box o' matches, sir?" stammered Tom Fillot.

"Yes. I shall fire the train."

Tom handed over the box unwillingly.

"Hadn't I better, sir? You might be burnt."

"Well, if I am, what then? Ready, my lads?" whispered Mark. "All is
quiet now."

"Ay, ay, sir, ready," said the men, as they pressed closely to the
floor, holding down their heads for the most part; but Tom Fillot with a
face full of anxiety watched.

"Then the moment after the explosion spring up and follow me."

As Mark spoke he lay down close to the end of the train right beneath
the open window, took a match from the box, struck it, and, as it burst
into flame, touched the powder, which began to burn along the zigzag
train with a peculiar rushing hiss.

CHAPTER FORTY.

FIRING A TRAIN.

A sound like a sigh or the escape of some pent-up emotion came from the
little group of prostrate men, all of whom, save the black, knew that
the powder might after all, while driving out the cabin door and its
barricading, injure, perhaps kill them, in its explosion.

But no one flinched, as the schooner careened over in obedience to a
turn or two of the wheel, and glided rapidly off on a fresh tack, while
the flame of the heavy train ran here and there over the cabin floor,
its peculiar hiss suggesting to Mark the idea of a fiery reptile, and
the strain of those exciting moments growing till they appeared to be
minutes.

Away it sped in its serpent-like trail, for Tom had made liberal sweeps
of the powder, and the whole course was marked by an ever-increasing
cloud of white smoke, which rapidly filled the cabin, till only about
four of the bends remained between the fire and the heap of powder, when
with a suddenness that sent a thrill through all, there was a tremendous
crash, followed by a heavy, dull jar which shook the vessel from stem to
stern. Mark Vandean spr