e smoke and flame to
the stern of the vessel. A line was made fast to the good fellow's
waist, for, he had said, in case he should collapse in the dense smoke,
he would rather be hauled back in any position, than left there!

Three times the brave man rushed into the mass of hot, poisonous vapour,
and twice he returned staggering and choking. The third time he entirely
collapsed, and was pulled back. His jacket was on fire and he was
unconscious. A second man instantly volunteered; he had a new suggestion
to make.

'I will slip over the side of the ship, and you can pay out line
gradually until I have reached a spot where I think I can climb up. When
I pull, you must slack out the line.'

'Mind the screw. Don't get sucked back too far astern,' said the
captain; 'be careful.'

The man jumped into the water, and was carried instantly astern; he
tugged, and line was paid out. Soon it became evident, by the tension of
the line, that he had clung on to the vessel's side; probably he was
climbing laboriously upward--his plan was going to succeed.

But the line suddenly sprang outwards; he had jumped into the sea again;
a few minutes, and he was hauled back, out of breath and exhausted.

'I couldn't climb it,' he said, 'it's too steep and slippery. I nearly
got sucked into the screw. The flames are not near the wheel yet, but
the smoke is flying right over it in dense, black volumes. How young
Hayashi is standing it, I don't know.'

But the steamer was standing straight as a line upon her course; it was
obvious that the good fellow's nerve still held out, his eyes were not
yet dimmed with the smoke and heat--good, brave Hayashi!

Some one proposed that the passengers should approach in a body as far
aft as the fire permitted, and then shout together words of praise and
encouragement. This was done. Some thirty men and women stood together
nearly amidships and shouted in time to the beat of a conductor:
'Hayashi--Banzai--brave Hayashi--you shall have glory and
reward--Banzai!' Some said they heard a voice reply 'Banzai,' some heard
nothing. Other attempts were made to relieve the plucky fellow at the
wheel. His lungs and breathing apparatus, a doctor present declared,
must be made of cast iron; since he had stood the poisonous fumes so
long, he might perhaps last out; people would see the burning vessel
from Shukisama before long, and help would come.

But the flames began to gather strength; the after portion of the