ry
strong; there is no time to lose. If we can only keep the troops and
the women quiet we may do something."

The hands were turned up, and soon made their appearance on deck,
wondering why they were summoned. The men had not perceived the state
of the vessel, for, the hatches having been kept on, the little smoke
that issued ascended the hatchway, and did not fill the lower deck.

"My lads," said Philip, "I am sorry to say that we have reason to
suspect that there is some danger of fire in the main-hold."

"I smell it!" cried one of the seamen.

"So do I," cried several others, with every show of alarm, and moving
away as if to go below.

"Silence, and remain where you are, my men. Listen to what I say: if
you frighten the troops and passengers we shall do nothing; we must
trust to ourselves; there is no time to be lost. Mr Krantz and the
carpenter are doing all that can be done at present; and now, my men, do
me the favour to sit down on the deck, every one of you, while I tell
you what we must do."

This order of Philip's was obeyed, and the effect was excellent: it gave
the men time to compose themselves after the first shock; for, perhaps,
of all shocks to the human frame, there is none which creates a greater
panic than the first intimation of fire on board of a vessel--a
situation, indeed, pitiable, when it is considered that you have to
choose between the two elements seeking your destruction. Philip did
not speak for a minute or two. He then pointed out to the men the
danger of their situation, what were the measures which he and Krantz
had decided upon taking; and how necessary it was that all should be
cool and collected. He also reminded them that they had but little
powder in the magazine, which was far from the site of the fire, and
could easily be removed and thrown overboard; and that, if the fire
could not be extinguished, they had a quantity of spars on deck to form
a raft, which, with the boats, would receive all on board, and that they
were but a short distance from land.

Philip's address had the most beneficial effects; the men rose up when
he ordered them; one portion went down to the magazine, and handed up
the powder, which was passed along and thrown overboard; another went to
the pumps; and Krantz, coming up, reported the hole to have been cut in
the planking of the deck above the main-hold: the hoses were fixed, and
a quantity of water soon poured down, but it was impossible t