d a general laugh and a good
deal of chaff, but there was no humour in the man who spoke. He was one
of those of whom it is said by a periodical which ought to know, that
hundreds of such may be seen day by day, year by year, waiting at the
different gates of the docks, in stolid weariness, for the chance of a
day's work--the wage of which is half-a-crown. When a foreman comes to
a gate to take on a few such hands, the press of men, and the faces,
hungry and eager beyond description, make one of the saddest of the sad
sights to be seen even at the east end of London.

In another part of the crowd, where the street was narrow, a scene of a
most fearful kind was being enacted. All scoundreldom appeared to have
collected in that spot. For two or three hours robbery and violence
reigned unchecked in the very face of the police, who, reduced to
inaction by the density of the crowd, could render little or no
assistance to the sufferers. Scarcely one respectably dressed person
was unmolested. Hats were indiscriminately smashed over the brows of
their wearers, coats were torn off their backs, and watches and purses
violently wrested from their owners. In many cases there was no attempt
at secrecy, men were knocked down and plundered with all the coolness
and deliberation, with which we commonly pursue our lawful calling.

By degrees the perseverance and heroism of the firemen were rewarded.
The fire began to succumb to the copious floods with which it was
deluged, and, towards midnight, there was a perceptible diminution in
the violence of the flames. There were, however, several temporary
outbursts from time to time, which called for the utmost watchfulness
and promptitude on the part of the Brigade.

During one of these a block of private dwellings nearest to the
conflagration was set on fire. So intent was every one on the _great_
fire that this incidental one was not observed until it had gained
considerable headway. The buildings were very old and dry, so that,
before an engine could be detached from the warehouses, it was in a
complete blaze. Most of the inhabitants escaped by the chief staircase
before it became impassable, and one or two leaped from the lower
windows.

It chanced that Joe Dashwood's engine was nearest to this house at the
time, and was run up to it.

"Now then, lads, look alive," said Joe, as the men affixed the hose and
suction-pipe.

"Out o' the way!" cried Ned Crashington to two boy