ng taken from them. They were then dragged into one of
the cabins, and a seaman with a loaded pistol placed as a guard over
them.

"Now, the rest of you go forward!" cried the boatswain to the Lascars;
and, without attempting resistance, they obeyed the order.

Oliver Farwell was sent aft by the captain to assist the seamen in
watching the prisoners, while I again joined the gangs in passing the
buckets. The smoke continued to ascend as quickly as before; and, as
the cargo was removed, flames burst up, rising through the hatchway.
Again Mr Thudicumb and his companions had to come on deck.

"Never fear, though," he cried out, as soon as he had recovered from the
effects of the smoke. "We are getting at the seat of the fire! More
volunteers for below! Come, lads!"

He had not to make any further appeal. A dozen fresh hands, led by Mr
Hooker, each carrying sails or blankets or bedding well saturated,
sprang below; and I could not resist the feeling that I could do more
good there than on deck. Meantime water came rushing down round us,
preventing our clothes from catching fire. Happily the ship was steady,
or the danger would have been greatly increased.

I shall never forget that scene. The lurid glare of the fire cast a
ruddy glow over the figures of the men as they gathered round the
crater-like opening which had been made, while dark wreaths of smoke
hung over the deck above us, and curled up towards the hatchway.
Scarcely, however, had a fresh supply of sails and bedding been thrown
over the hole, aided by the streams of water which came rushing into it,
than the flames suddenly subsided.

"Hurrah!" shouted Mr Thudicumb, and the cry was taken up by Mr Hooker
and the rest of us. "More water! more water!"

Bucket after bucket was handed down and dashed into the opening, and
again hauled up. We were now left in almost total darkness: not a
glimmer of light remained. The smoke entirely disappeared, though the
strong smell of it remained. The first officer called for lanterns, and
they were quickly brought by the boatswain and his mates. He now
descended into the lower hold, and the blankets and bedding were hoisted
up out of it.

"It is as well we got out these bales," I heard him observe to the
boatswain. "Here, Tarbox; what do you say to this?"

It was evident on examination that a space had been cleared out under
the cargo, and filled with straw and shavings and other light matter.
This had ca